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diff --git a/31427-0.txt b/31427-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..690b6dd --- /dev/null +++ b/31427-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18514 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896 by Mary +Baker Eddy + + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no +restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under +the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or +online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license + + + +Title: Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896 + +Author: Mary Baker Eddy + +Release Date: February 27, 2010 [Ebook #31427] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF‐8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS, 1883-1896*** + + + + + + Miscellaneous Writings + + 1883-1896 + + by + + Mary Baker Eddy + + Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science + + and Author of Science and Health with + + Key to the Scriptures + + Published by the + + Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker G. Eddy + + Boston, U. S. A. + + Copyright, 1896 + + By Mary Baker G. Eddy + + Copyright renewed, 1924 + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +Dedication. +Epigrams. +Preface. +Chapter I. Introductory. + Prospectus. + A Timely Issue. + Love Your Enemies. + Christian Theism. + The New Birth. +Chapter II. One Cause And Effect. +Chapter III. Questions And Answers. +Chapter IV. Addresses. + Christian Science In Tremont Temple. + Science And The Senses. + Extract From My First Address In The Mother Church, May 26, 1895 + Address Before The Alumni Of The Massachusetts Metaphysical College, + 1895 + Address Before The Christian Scientist Association Of The Massachusetts + Metaphysical College, In 1893 + Communion Address, January, 1896 + Message To The Annual Meeting Of The Mother Church, Boston, 1896 +Chapter V. Letters. + To The Mother Church. + To ——, On Prayer. + To The National Christian Scientist Association. + To The College Association. + To The National Christian Scientist Association. + To The First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Boston. + To Donors Of Boat, From Toronto, Canada. + Address,—Laying The Corner-Stone. + To The First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Boston + The First Members Of The First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Boston, + Massachusetts + Extract From A Letter + To The Mother Church + To First Church Of Christ, Scientist, In Oconto + To First Church Of Christ, Scientist, In Scranton + To First Church Of Christ, Scientist, In Denver + To First Church Of Christ, Scientist, In Lawrence + To Correspondents + To Students + To A Student + To A Student + Extract From A Christmas Letter +Chapter VI. Sermons. + A Christmas Sermon + Editor’s Extracts From Sermon + Extract From A Sermon Delivered In Boston, January 18, 1885 + Sunday Services on July Fourth + Easter Services + Bible Lessons +Chapter VII. Pond And Purpose. +Chapter VIII. Precept Upon Precept + “Thy Will Be Done” + “Put Up Thy Sword” + Scientific Theism + Mental Practice + Taking Offense + Hints To The Clergy + Perfidy And Slander + Contagion + Improve Your Time + Thanksgiving Dinner + Christian Science + Injustice + Reformers + Mrs. Eddy Sick + “I’ve Got Cold” + “Prayer And Healing” + Veritas Odium Parit + Falsehood + Love + Address On The Fourth Of July At Pleasant View, Concord, N. H., Before + 2,500 Members Of The Mother Church, 1897 + Well Doinge Is The Fruite Of Doinge Well + Little Gods + Advantage Of Mind-Healing + A Card + Spirit And Law + Truth-Healing + Heart To Heart + Things To Be Thought Of + Unchristian Rumor + Vainglory + Compounds + Close Of The Massachusetts Metaphysical College + Malicious Reports + Loyal Christian Scientists + The March Primary Class + Obtrusive Mental Healing + Wedlock + Judge Not + New Commandment + A Cruce Salus + Comparison to English Barmaids + A Christian Science Statute + Advice To Students + Notice + Angels + Deification Of Personality + A Card + Overflowing Thoughts + A Great Man And His Saying + Words Of Commendation + Church And School + Class, Pulpit, Students’ Students + My Students And Thy Students + Unseen Sin + A Word To The Wise + Christmas + Card + Message To The Mother Church +Chapter IX. The Fruit Of Spirit + An Allegory + Voices Of Spring + “Where Art Thou?” + Divine Science + Fidelity + True Philosophy And Communion + Origin Of Evil + Truth Versus Error + Fallibility Of Human Concepts + The Way + Science And Philosophy + “Take Heed!” + The Cry Of Christmas-Tide + Blind Leaders + “Christ And Christmas” + Sunrise At Pleasant View +Chapter X. Inklings Historic +Chapter XI. Poems + Come Thou + Meeting Of My Departed Mother And Husband + Love + Woman’s Rights + The Mother’s Evening Prayer + June + Wish And Item + The Oak On The Mountain’s Summit + Isle Of Wight + Hope + Rondelet + To Mr. James T. White + Autumn + Christ My Refuge + “Feed My Sheep” + Communion Hymn + Laus Deo! + A Verse +Chapter XII. Testimonials +Footnotes + + + + + + +DEDICATION. + + +To +Loyal Christian Scientists +In This And Every Land +I Lovingly Dedicate These Practical Teachings +Indispensable To The Culture And Achievements Which +Constitute The Success Of A Student +And Demonstrate The Ethics +Of Christian Science + +Mary Baker Eddy + + + + + +EPIGRAMS. + + +Pray thee, take care, that tak’st my book in hand, +To read it well; that is, to understand. + +BEN JONSON: _Epigram_ 1 + +When I would know thee ... my thought looks +Upon thy well made choice of friends and books; +Then do I love thee, and behold thy ends +In making thy friends books, and thy books friends. + +BEN JONSON: _Epigram_ 86 + +If worlds were formed by matter, + And mankind from the dust; +Till time shall end more timely, + There’s nothing here to trust. + +Thenceforth to evolution’s + Geology, we say,— +Nothing have we gained therefrom, + And nothing have to pray: + +My world has sprung from Spirit, + In everlasting day; +Whereof, I’ve more to glory, + Wherefor, have much to pay. + +MARY BAKER EDDY + + + + + +PREFACE. + + +[Page ix.] + +[Transcriber’s Note: The original book includes line numbers throughout +the text, for easy reference to the text by page number and line number. +This transcription retains those page and line numbers; the numbers in +[square brackets] at the right ends of lines are the original book’s line +numbers. The paragraphs are not adjusted as is customary for text in +e-books, nor are words split by hyphens rejoined, so that the lines shown +below have the same words as the lines in the original book.] + +A certain apothegm of a Talmudical philosopher [1] +suits my sense of doing good. It reads thus: “The +noblest charity is to prevent a man from accepting +charity; and the best alms are to show and to enable a +man to dispense with alms.” [5] + +In the early history of Christian Science, among my +thousands of students few were wealthy. Now, Christian +Scientists are not indigent; and their comfortable fortunes +are acquired by healing mankind morally, physically, +spiritually. The easel of time presents pictures—once [10] +fragmentary and faint—now rejuvenated by the touch +of God’s right hand. Where joy, sorrow, hope, disap- +pointment, sigh, and smile commingled, now hope sits +dove-like. + +To preserve a long course of years still and uniform, [15] +amid the uniform darkness of storm and cloud and +tempest, requires strength from above,—deep draughts +from the fount of divine Love. Truly may it be said: +There is an old age of the heart, and a youth that never +grows old; a Love that is a boy, and a Psyche who is [20] +ever a girl. The fleeting freshness of youth, however, +is not the evergreen of Soul; the coloring glory of + +[Page x.] + +perpetual bloom; the spiritual glow and grandeur of [1] +a consecrated life wherein dwelleth peace, sacred and +sincere in trial or in triumph. + +The opportunity has at length offered itself for me to +comply with an oft-repeated request; namely, to collect [5] +my miscellaneous writings published in _The Christian_ +_Science Journal_, since April, 1883, and republish them +in book form,—accessible as reference, and reliable as +old landmarks. Owing to the manifold demands on my +time in the early pioneer days, most of these articles [10] +were originally written in haste, without due preparation. +To those heretofore in print, a few articles are herein +appended. To some articles are affixed data, where these +are most requisite, to serve as mile-stones measuring the +distance,—or the difference between then and now,— [15] +in the opinions of men and the progress of our Cause. + +My signature has been slightly changed from my +Christian name, Mary Morse Baker. Timidity in early +years caused me, as an author, to assume various _noms_ +_de plume_. After my first marriage, to Colonel Glover [20] +of Charleston, South Carolina, I dropped the name of +Morse to retain my maiden name,—thinking that other- +wise the name would be too long. + +In 1894, I received from the Daughters of the American +Revolution a certificate of membership made out to Mary [25] +Baker Eddy, and thereafter adopted that form of signature, +except in connection with my published works. + +[Page xi.] + +The first edition of Science and Health having been [1] +copyrighted at the date of its issue, 1875, in my name +of Glover, caused me to retain the initial “G” on my +subsequent books. + +These pages, although a reproduction of what has [5] +been written, are still in advance of their time; and are +richly rewarded by what they have hitherto achieved for +the race. While no offering can liquidate one’s debt of +gratitude to God, the fervent heart and willing hand are +not unknown to nor unrewarded by Him. [10] + +May this volume be to the reader a graphic guide- +book, pointing the path, dating the unseen, and enabling +him to walk the untrodden in the hitherto unexplored +fields of Science. At each recurring holiday the Christian +Scientist will find herein a “canny” crumb; and thus [15] +may time’s pastimes become footsteps to joys eternal. + +Realism will at length be found to surpass imagination, +and to suit and savor all literature. The shuttlecock of +religious intolerance will fall to the ground, if there be +no battledores to fling it back and forth. It is reason for [20] +rejoicing that the _vox populi_ is inclined to grant us peace, +together with pardon for the preliminary battles that +purchased it. + +With tender tread, thought sometimes walks in memory, +through the dim corridors of years, on to old battle- [25] +grounds, there sadly to survey the fields of the slain and +the enemy’s losses. In compiling this work, I have tried + +[Page xii.] + +to remove the pioneer signs and ensigns of war, and to [1] +retain at this date the privileged armaments of peace. + +With armor on, I continue the march, command and +countermand; meantime interluding with loving thought +this afterpiece of battle. Supported, cheered, I take my [5] +pen and pruning-hook, to “learn war no more,” and with +strong wing to lift my readers above the smoke of conflict +into light and liberty. + +Mary Baker Eddy + +CONCORD, N.H. +January, 1897 + + + + + +CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. + + + + +Prospectus. + + +[Page 1.] + +The ancient Greek looked longingly for the Olym- [1] +piad. The Chaldee watched the appearing of a +star; to him, no higher destiny dawned on the dome +of being than that foreshadowed by signs in the heav- [5] +ens. The meek Nazarene, the scoffed of all scoffers, +said, “Ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye +not discern the signs of the times?”—for he forefelt +and foresaw the ordeal of a perfect Christianity, hated +by sinners. [10] + +To kindle all minds with a gleam of gratitude, the +new idea that comes welling up from infinite Truth needs +to be understood. The seer of this age should be a +sage. + +Humility is the stepping-stone to a higher recognition [15] +of Deity. The mounting sense gathers fresh forms and +strange fire from the ashes of dissolving self, and drops +the world. Meekness heightens immortal attributes +only by removing the dust that dims them. Goodness +reveals another scene and another self seemingly rolled [20] +up in shades, but brought to light by the evolutions of + +[Page 2.] + +advancing thought, whereby we discern the power of [1] +Truth and Love to heal the sick. + +Pride is ignorance; those assume most who have the +least wisdom or experience; and they steal from their +neighbor, because they have so little of their own. [5] + +The signs of these times portend a long and strong +determination of mankind to cleave to the world, the +flesh, and evil, causing great obscuration of Spirit. +When we remember that God is just, and admit the +total depravity of mortals, _alias_ mortal mind,—and that [10] +this Adam legacy must first be seen, and then must be +subdued and recompensed by justice, the eternal attri- +bute of Truth,—the outlook demands labor, and the +laborers seem few. To-day we behold but the first +faint view of a more spiritual Christianity, that embraces [15] +a deeper and broader philosophy and a more rational and +divine healing. The time approaches when divine Life, +Truth, and Love will be found alone the remedy for sin, +sickness, and death; when God, man’s saving Principle, +and Christ, the spiritual idea of God, will be revealed. [20] + +Man’s probation after death is the necessity of his +immortality; for good dies not and evil is self-destruc- +tive, therefore evil must be mortal and self-destroyed. +If man should not progress after death, but should re- +main in error, he would be inevitably self-annihilated. [25] +Those upon whom “the second death hath no power” +are those who progress here and hereafter out of evil, +their mortal element, and into good that is immortal; +thus laying off the material beliefs that war against +Spirit, and putting on the spiritual elements in divine [30] +Science. + +While we entertain decided views as to the best method + +[Page 3.] + +for elevating the race physically, morally, and spiritually, [1] +and shall express these views as duty demands, we +shall claim no especial gift from our divine origin, no +supernatural power. If we regard good as more natural +than evil, and spiritual understanding—the true knowl- [5] +edge of God—as imparting the only power to heal the +sick and the sinner, we shall demonstrate in our lives the +power of Truth and Love. + +The lessons we learn in divine Science are applica- +ble to all the needs of man. Jesus taught them for this [10] +very purpose; and his demonstration hath taught us +that “through his stripes”—his life-experience—and +divine Science, brought to the understanding through +Christ, the Spirit-revelator, is man healed and saved. +No opinions of mortals nor human hypotheses enter this [15] +line of thought or action. Drugs, inert matter, never are +needed to aid spiritual power. Hygiene, manipulation, +and mesmerism are not Mind’s medicine. The Principle +of all cure is God, unerring and immortal Mind. +We have learned that the erring or mortal thought holds [20] +in itself all sin, sickness, and death, and imparts these +states to the body; while the supreme and perfect Mind, +as seen in the truth of being, antidotes and destroys these +material elements of sin and death. + +Because God is supreme and omnipotent, _materia_ [25] +_medica_, hygiene, and animal magnetism are impotent; +and their only supposed efficacy is in apparently delud- +ing reason, denying revelation, and dethroning Deity. +The tendency of mental healing is to uplift mankind; but +this method perverted, is “Satan let loose.” Hence the [30] +deep demand for the Science of psychology to meet sin, +and uncover it; thus to annihilate hallucination. + +[Page 4.] + +Thought imbued with purity, Truth, and Love, in- [1] +structed in the Science of metaphysical healing, is the +most potent and desirable remedial agent on the earth. +At this period there is a marked tendency of mortal +mind to plant mental healing on the basis of hypnotism, [5] +calling this method “mental science.” All _Science_ is +_Christian_ Science; the Science of the Mind that is God, +and of the universe as His idea, and their relation to each +other. Its only power to heal is its power to do good, +not evil. + + + + +A Timely Issue. + + +At this date, 1883, a newspaper edited and published +by the Christian Scientists has become a necessity. Many +questions important to be disposed of come to the Col- +lege and to the practising students, yet but little time [15] +has been devoted to their answer. Further enlight- +enment is necessary for the age, and a periodical de- +voted to this work seems alone adequate to meet the +requirement. Much interest is awakened and expressed +on the subject of metaphysical healing, but in many [20] +minds it is confounded with isms, and even infidelity, so +that its religious specialty and the vastness of its worth +are not understood. + +It is often said, “You must have a very strong will- +power to heal,” or, “It must require a great deal of faith [25] +to make your demonstrations.” When it is answered +that there is no will-power required, and that something +more than faith is necessary, we meet with an expression +of incredulity. It is not alone the mission of Christian +Science to heal the sick, but to destroy sin in mortal [30] + +[Page 5.] + +thought. This work well done will elevate and purify [1] +the race. It cannot fail to do this if we devote our best +energies to the work. + +Science reveals man as spiritual, harmonious, and eter- +nal. This should be understood. Our College should [5] +be crowded with students who are willing to consecrate +themselves to this Christian work. Mothers should be +able to produce perfect health and perfect morals in their +children—and ministers, to heal the sick—by study- +ing this scientific method of practising Christianity. [10] +Many say, “I should like to study, but have not suffi- +cient faith that I have the power to heal.” The healing +power is Truth and Love, and these do not fail in the +greatest emergencies. + +_Materia medica_ says, “I can do no more. I have [15] +done all that can be done. There is nothing to build +upon. There is no longer any reason for hope.” Then +metaphysics comes in, armed with the power of Spirit, +not matter, takes up the case hopefully and builds on +the stone that the builders have rejected, and is suc- [20] +cessful. + +Metaphysical therapeutics can seem a miracle and a +mystery to those only who do not understand the grand +reality that Mind controls the body. They acknowledge +an erring or mortal mind, but believe it to be brain mat- [25] +ter. That man is the idea of infinite Mind, always perfect +in God, in Truth, Life, and Love, is something not easily +accepted, weighed down as is mortal thought with mate- +rial beliefs. That which never existed, can seem solid +substance to this thought. It is much easier for people [30] +to believe that the body affects the mind, than that the +mind affects the body. + +[Page 6.] + +We hear from the pulpits that sickness is sent as a [1] +discipline to bring man nearer to God,—even though +sickness often leaves mortals but little time free from +complaints and fretfulness, and Jesus cast out disease as +evil. [5] + +The most of our Christian Science practitioners have +plenty to do, and many more are needed for the ad- +vancement of the age. At present the majority of the +acute cases are given to the M. D.’s, and only those +cases that are pronounced incurable are passed over to [10] +the Scientist. The healing of such cases should cer- +tainly prove to all minds the power of metaphysics over +physics; and it surely does, to many thinkers, as the +rapid growth of the work shows. At no distant day, +Christian healing will rank far in advance of allopathy [15] +and homœopathy; for Truth must ultimately succeed +where error fails. + +Mind governs all. That we exist in God, perfect, +there is no doubt, for the conceptions of Life, Truth, and +Love must be perfect; and with that basic truth we con- [20] +quer sickness, sin, and death. Frequently it requires +time to overcome the patient’s faith in drugs and mate- +rial hygiene; but when once convinced of the uselessness +of such material methods, the gain is rapid. + +It is a noticeable fact, that in families where laws [25] +of health are strictly enforced, great caution is observed +in regard to diet, and the conversation chiefly confined +to the ailments of the body, there is the most sickness. +Take a large family of children where the mother has +all that she can attend to in keeping them clothed and +fed, and health is generally the rule; whereas, in small +families of one or two children, sickness is by no means + +[Page 7.] + +the exception. These children must not be allowed to [1] +eat certain food, nor to breathe the cold air, because +there is danger in it; when they perspire, they must be +loaded down with coverings until their bodies become +dry,—and the mother of one child is often busier than [5] +the mother of eight. + +Great charity and humility is necessary in this work +of healing. The loving patience of Jesus, we must +strive to emulate. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as +thyself” has daily to be exemplified; and, although [10] +skepticism and incredulity prevail in places where +one would least expect it, it harms not; for if serving +Christ, Truth, of what can mortal opinion avail? Cast +not your pearls before swine; but if you cannot bring +peace to all, you can to many, if faithful laborers in His [15] +vineyard. + +Looking over the newspapers of the day, one naturally +reflects that it is dangerous to live, so loaded with disease +seems the very air. These descriptions carry fears to +many minds, to be depicted in some future time upon [20] +the body. A periodical of our own will counteract to +some extent this public nuisance; for through our paper, +at the price at which we shall issue it, we shall be able +to reach many homes with healing, purifying thought. +A great work already has been done, and a greater work [25] +yet remains to be done. Oftentimes we are denied the +results of our labors because people do not understand +the nature and power of metaphysics, and they think +that health and strength would have returned natu- +rally without any assistance. This is not so much from [30] +a lack of justice, as it is that the _mens populi_ is not suffi- +ciently enlightened on this great subject. More thought + +[Page 8.] + +is given to material illusions than to spiritual facts. If [1] +we can aid in abating suffering and diminishing sin, +we shall have accomplished much; but if we can bring +to the general thought this great fact that drugs do not, +cannot, produce health and harmony, since “in Him [5] +[Mind] we live, and move, and have our being,” we shall +have done more.” + + + + +Love Your Enemies. + + +Who is thine enemy that thou shouldst love him? Is +it a creature or a thing outside thine own creation? [10] + +Can you see an enemy, except you first formulate this +enemy and then look upon the object of your own conception? +What is it that harms you? Can height, or +depth, or any other creature separate you from the +Love that is omnipresent good,—that blesses infinitely [15] +one and all? + +Simply count your enemy to be that which defiles, +defaces, and dethrones the Christ-image that you should +reflect. Whatever purifies, sanctifies, and consecrates +human life, is not an enemy, however much we suffer in [20] +the process. Shakespeare writes: “Sweet are the uses +of adversity.” Jesus said: “Blessed are ye, when men +shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all +manner of evil against you _falsely_, for my sake; ... for +so persecuted they the prophets which were before [25] +you.” + +The Hebrew law with its “Thou shalt not,” its de- +mand and sentence, can only be fulfilled through the +gospel’s benediction. Then, “Blessed are ye,” inso- + +[Page 9.] + +much as the consciousness of good, grace, and peace, [1] +comes through affliction rightly understood, as sanctified +by the purification it brings to the flesh,—to pride, self- +ignorance, self-will, self-love, self-justification. Sweet, +indeed, are these uses of His rod! Well is it that the [5] +Shepherd of Israel passes all His flock under His rod +into His fold; thereby numbering them, and giving them +refuge at last from the elements of earth. + +“Love thine enemies” is identical with “Thou hast +no enemies.” Wherein is this conclusion relative to [10] +those who have hated thee without a cause? Simply, in +that those unfortunate individuals are virtually thy best +friends. Primarily and ultimately, they are doing thee +good far beyond the present sense which thou canst entertain +of good. [15] + +Whom we call friends seem to sweeten life’s cup and +to fill it with the nectar of the gods. We lift this cup +to our lips; but it slips from our grasp, to fall in frag- +ments before our eyes. Perchance, having tasted its +tempting wine, we become intoxicated; become lethar- [20] +gic, dreamy objects of self-satisfaction; else, the con- +tents of this cup of selfish human enjoyment having lost +its flavor, we voluntarily set it aside as tasteless and +unworthy of human aims. + +And wherefore our failure longer to relish this fleet- [25] +ing sense, with its delicious forms of friendship, +wherewith mortals become educated to gratification in +personal pleasure and trained in treacherous peace? +Because it is the great and only danger in the path +that winds upward. A false sense of what consti- [30] +tutes happiness is more disastrous to human progress +than all that an enemy or enmity can obtrude upon + +[Page 10.] + +the mind or engraft upon its purposes and achievements [1] +wherewith to obstruct life’s joys and enhance its sor- +rows. + +We have no enemies. Whatever envy, hatred, revenge +—the most remorseless motives that govern mortal mind [5] +—whatever these try to do, shall “work together for good +to them that love God.” + +Why? + +Because He has called His own, armed them, equipped +them, and furnished them defenses impregnable. Their [10] +God will not let them be lost; and if they fall they shall +rise again, stronger than before the stumble. The good +cannot lose their God, their help in times of trouble. +If they mistake the divine command, they will recover +it, countermand their order, retrace their steps, and [15] +reinstate His orders, more assured to press on safely. +The best lesson of their lives is gained by crossing +swords with temptation, with fear and the besetments +of evil; insomuch as they thereby have tried their +strength and proven it; insomuch as they have found [20] +their strength made perfect in weakness, and their fear +is self-immolated. + +This destruction is a moral chemicalization, wherein +old things pass away and all things become new. The +worldly or material tendencies of human affections and [25] +pursuits are thus annihilated; and this is the advent of +spiritualization. Heaven comes down to earth, and +mortals learn at last the lesson, “I have no enemies.” + +Even in belief you have but one (that, not in reality), +and this one enemy is yourself—your erroneous belief [30] +that you have enemies; that evil is real; that aught but +good exists in Science. Soon or late, your enemy will + +[Page 11.] + +wake from his delusion to suffer for his evil intent; to [1] +find that, though thwarted, its punishment is tenfold. + +Love is the fulfilling of the law: it is grace, mercy, +and justice. I used to think it sufficiently just to abide +by our State statutes; that if a man should aim a ball at [5] +my heart, and I by firing first could kill him and save +my own life, that this was right. I thought, also, that +if I taught indigent students gratuitously, afterwards +assisting them pecuniarily, and did not cease teachi +ing the wayward ones at close of the class term, but [10] +followed them with precept upon precept; that if my +instructions had healed them and shown them the sure way +of salvation,—I had done my whole duty to students. + +Love metes not out human justice, but divine mercy. +If one’s life were attacked, and one could save it only [15] +in accordance with common law, by taking another’s, +would one sooner give up his own? We must love our +enemies in all the manifestations wherein and whereby +we love our friends; must even try not to expose their +faults, but to do them good whenever opportunity [20] +occurs. To mete out human justice to those who per- +secure and despitefully use one, is not leaving all retribu- +tion to God and returning blessing for cursing. If special +opportunity for doing good to one’s enemies occur not, +one can include them in his general effort to benefit the [25] +race. Because I can do much general good to such as +hate me, I do it with earnest, special care—since they +permit me no other way, though with tears have I striven +for it. When smitten on one cheek, I have turned the +other: I have but two to present. [30] + +I would enjoy taking by the hand all who love me not, +and saying to them, “_I_ love _you_, and would not know- + +[Page 12.] + +ingly harm you.” _Because_ I thus feel, I say to others: [1] +Hate no one; for hatred is a plague-spot that spreads +its virus and kills at last. If indulged, it masters us; +brings suffering upon suffering to its possessor, through- +out time and beyond the grave. If you have been badly [5] +wronged, forgive and forget: God will recompense this +wrong, and punish, more severely than you could, him +who has striven to injure you. Never return evil for evil; +and, above all, do not fancy that you have been wronged +when you have not been. [10] + +The present is ours; the future, big with events. +Every man and woman should be to-day a law to him- +self, herself,—a law of loyalty to Jesus’ Sermon on the +Mount. The means for sinning unseen and unpunished +have so increased that, unless one be watchful and stead- [15] +fast in Love, one’s temptations to sin are increased a +hundredfold. Mortal mind at this period mutely works +in the interest of both good and evil in a manner least +understood; hence the need of watching, and the danger +of yielding to temptation from causes that at former [20] +periods in human history were not existent. The action +and effects of this so-called human mind in its silent argu- +ments, are yet to be uncovered and summarily dealt with +by divine justice. + +In Christian Science, the law of Love rejoices the heart; [25] +and Love is Life and Truth. Whatever manifests aught +else in its effects upon mankind, demonstrably is not Love. +We should measure our love for God by our love for man; +and our sense of Science will be measured by our obedience +to God,—fulfilling the law of Love, doing good to all; [30] +imparting, so far as we reflect them, Truth, Life, and Love +to all within the radius of our atmosphere of thought. + +[Page 13.] + +The only justice of which I feel at present capable, [1] +is mercy and charity toward every one,—just so far as +one and all permit me to exercise these sentiments toward +them,—taking special care to mind my own business. + +The falsehood, ingratitude, misjudgment, and sharp [5] +return of evil for good—yea, the real wrongs (if wrong +can be real) which I have long endured at the hands of +others—have most happily wrought out for me the law +of loving mine enemies. This law I now urge upon the +solemn consideration of all Christian Scientists. Jesus [10] +said, “If ye love them which love you, what thank have +ye? for sinners also love those that love them.” + + + + +Christian Theism. + + +Scholastic theology elaborates the proposition that +evil is a factor of good, and that to believe in the reality [15] +of evil is essential to a rounded sense of the existence of +good. + +This frail hypothesis is founded upon the basis of mate- +rial and mortal evidence—only upon what the shifting +mortal senses confirm and frail human reason accepts. [20] +The Science of Soul reverses this proposition, overturns +the testimony of the five erring senses, and reveals in +clearer divinity the existence of good only; that is, of +God and His idea. + +This postulate of divine Science only needs to be con- [25] +ceded, to afford opportunity for proof of its correctness +and the clearer discernment of good. + +Seek the Anglo-Saxon term for God, and you will +find it to be good; then define good as God, and you +will find that good is omnipotence, has all power; it fills [30] + +[Page 14.] + +all space, being omnipresent; hence, there is neither place [1] +nor power left for evil. Divest your thought, then, of +the mortal and material view which contradicts the ever- +presence and all-power of good; take in only the immor- +tal facts which include these, and where will you see or [5] +feel evil, or find its existence necessary either to the origin +or ultimate of good? + +It is urged that, from his original state of perfec- +tion, man has fallen into the imperfection that requires +evil through which to develop good. Were we to [10] +admit this vague proposition, the Science of man could +never be learned; for in order to learn Science, we +begin with the correct statement, with harmony and +its Principle; and if man has lost his Principle and +its harmony, from evidences before him he is inca- [15] +pable of knowing the facts of existence and its con- +comitants: therefore to him evil is as real and eternal +as good, God! This awful deception is evil’s umpire +and empire, that good, God, understood, forcibly +destroys. [20] + +What appears to mortals from their standpoint to be +the necessity for evil, is proven by the law of opposites +to be without necessity. Good is the primitive Princi- +ple of man; and evil, good’s opposite, has no Principle, +and is not, and cannot be, the derivative of good. [25] +Thus evil is neither a primitive nor a derivative, but +is suppositional; in other words, a lie that is incapable +of proof—therefore, wholly problematical. + +The Science of Truth annihilates error, deprives evil +of all power, and thereby destroys all error, sin, sickness, [30] +disease, and death. But the sinner is not sheltered from +suffering from sin: he makes a great reality of evil, iden- + +[Page 15.] + +tifies himself with it, fancies he finds pleasure in it, and [1] +will reap what he sows; hence the sinner must endure +the effects of his delusion until he awakes from it. + + + + +The New Birth. + + +St. Paul speaks of the new birth as “waiting for the [5] +adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” The +great Nazarene Prophet said, “Blessed are the pure in +heart: for they shall see God.” Nothing aside from the +spiritualization—yea, the highest Christianization—of +thought and desire, can give the true perception of God [10] +and divine Science, that results in health, happiness, and +holiness. + +The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins +with moments, and goes on with years; moments of sur- +render to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption [15] +of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, +heaven-born hope, and spiritual love. + +Time may commence, but it cannot complete, the +new birth: eternity does this; for progress is the law +of infinity. Only through the sore travail of mortal mind [20] +shall soul as sense be satisfied, and man awake in His +likeness. What a faith-lighted thought is this! that +mortals can lay off the “old man,” until man is found +to be the image of the infinite good that we name God, +and the fulness of the stature of man in Christ appears. [25] + +In mortal and material man, goodness seems in em- +bryo. By suffering for sin, and the gradual fading out +of the mortal and material sense of man, thought is de- +veloped into an infant Christianity; and, feeding at first +on the milk of the Word, it drinks in the sweet revealings [30] + +[Page 16.] + +of a new and more spiritual Life and Love. These nourish [1] +the hungry hope, satisfy more the cravings for immor- +tality, and so comfort, cheer, and bless one, that he saith: +In mine infancy, this is enough of heaven to come down +to earth. [5] + +But, as one grows into the manhood or womanhood +of Christianity, one finds so much lacking, and so very +much requisite to become wholly Christlike, that one +saith: The Principle of Christianity is infinite: it is +indeed God; and this infinite Principle hath infinite [10] +claims on man, and these claims are divine, not human; +and man’s ability to meet them is from God; for, being +His likeness and image, man must reflect the full +dominion of Spirit—even its supremacy over sin, sick- +ness, and death. [15] + +Here, then, is the awakening from the dream of life +in matter, to the great fact that _God is the only Life_; +that, therefore, we must entertain a higher sense of both +God and man. We must learn that God is infinitely +more than a person, or finite form, can contain; that [20] +God is a divine _Whole_, and _All_, an all-pervading in- +telligence and Love, a divine, infinite Principle; and +that Christianity is a divine Science. This newly +awakened consciousness is wholly spiritual; it emanates +from Soul instead of body, and is the new birth begun [25] +in Christian Science. + +Now, dear reader, pause for a moment with me, earn- +estly to contemplate this new-born spiritual altitude; for +this statement demands demonstration. + +Here you stand face to face with the laws of infinite [30] +Spirit, and behold for the first time the irresistible con- +flict between the flesh and Spirit. You stand before the + +[Page 17.] + +awful detonations of Sinai. You hear and record the [1] +thunderings of the spiritual law of Life, as opposed to +the material law of death; the spiritual law of Love, as +opposed to the material sense of love; the law of om- +nipotent harmony and good, as opposed to any supposi- [5] +titious law of sin, sickness, or death. And, before the +flames have died away on this mount of revelation, like +the patriarch of old, you take off your shoes—lay aside +your material appendages, human opinions and doc- +trines, give up your more material religion with its rites [10] +and ceremonies, put off your _materia medica_ and hygiene +as worse than useless—to sit at the feet of Jesus. Then, +you meekly bow before the Christ, the spiritual idea +that our great Master gave of the power of God to heal +and to save. Then it is that you behold for the first [15] +time the divine Principle that redeems man from under +the curse of materialism,—sin, disease, and death. +This spiritual birth opens to the enraptured understand- +ing a much higher and holier conception of the supremacy +of Spirit, and of man as His likeness, whereby man reflects [20] +the divine power to heal the sick. + +A material or human birth is the appearing of a mor- +tal, not the immortal man. This birth is more or less +prolonged and painful, according to the timely or un- +timely circumstances, the normal or abnormal material [25] +conditions attending it. + +With the spiritual birth, man’s primitive, sinless, +spiritual existence dawns on human thought,—through +the travail of mortal mind, hope deferred, the perishing +pleasure and accumulating pains of sense,—by which [30] +one loses himself as matter, and gains a truer sense of +Spirit and spiritual man. + +[Page 18.] + +The purification or baptismals that come from Spirit, [1] +develop, step by step, the original likeness of perfect man, +and efface the mark of the beast. “Whom the Lord +loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom +He receiveth;” therefore rejoice in tribulation, and wel- [5] +come these spiritual signs of the new birth under the law +and gospel of Christ, Truth. + +The prominent laws which forward birth in the divine +order of Science, are these: “Thou shalt have no other +gods before me;” “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” [10] +These commands of infinite wisdom, translated into +the new tongue, their spiritual meaning, signify: Thou +shalt love Spirit only, not its opposite, in every God- +quality, even in substance; thou shalt recognize thy- +self as God’s spiritual child only, and the true man [15] +and true woman, the all-harmonious “male and female,” +as of spiritual origin, God’s reflection,—thus as chil- +dren of one common Parent,—wherein and whereby +Father, Mother, and child are the divine Principle and +divine idea, even the divine “Us”—one in good, and [20] +good in One. + +With this recognition man could never separate him- +self from good, God; and he would necessarily entertain +habitual love for his fellow-man. Only by admitting +evil as a reality, and entering into a state of evil [25] +thoughts, can we in belief separate one man’s interests +from those of the whole human family, or thus attempt +to separate Life from God. This is the mistake that +causes much that must be repented of and overcome. +Not to know what is blessing you, but to believe that [30] +aught that God sends is unjust,—or that those whom +He commissions bring to you at His demand that which + +[Page 19.] + +is unjust,—is wrong and cruel. Envy, evil thinking, [1] +evil speaking, covetousness, lust, hatred, malice, are +always wrong, and will break the rule of Christian +Science and prevent its demonstration; but the rod of +God, and the obedience demanded of His servants in [5] +carrying out what He teaches them,—these are never +unmerciful, never unwise. + +The task of healing the sick is far lighter than that +of so teaching the divine Principle and rules of Chris- +tian Science as to lift the affections and motives of men [10] +to adopt them and bring them out in human lives. He +who has named the name of Christ, who has virtually +accepted the divine claims of Truth and Love in divine +Science, is daily departing from evil; and all the wicked +endeavors of suppositional demons can never change the [15] +current of that life from steadfastly flowing on to God, +its divine source. + +But, taking the livery of heaven wherewith to cover +iniquity, is the most fearful sin that mortals can commit. +I should have more faith in an honest drugging-doctor, [20] +one who abides by his statements and works upon as +high a basis as he understands, healing me, than I could +or would have in a smooth-tongued hypocrite or mental +malpractitioner. + +Between the centripetal and centrifugal mental forces [25] +of material and spiritual gravitations, we go into or we +go out of materialism or sin, and choose our course and +its results. Which, then, shall be our choice,—the sin- +ful, material, and perishable, or the spiritual, joy-giving, +and eternal? [30] + +The spiritual sense of Life and its grand pursuits is +of itself a bliss, health-giving and joy-inspiring. This + +[Page 20.] + +sense of Life illumes our pathway with the radiance of [1] +divine Love; heals man spontaneously, morally and +physically,—exhaling the aroma of Jesus’ own words, +“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, +and I will give you rest.” [5] + + + + + +CHAPTER II. ONE CAUSE AND EFFECT. + + +[Page 21.] + +Christian Science begins with the First Com- [1] +mandment of the Hebrew Decalogue, “Thou +shalt have no other gods before me.” It goes on in +perfect unity with Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, and +in that age culminates in the Revelation of St. John, [5] +who, while on earth and in the flesh, like ourselves, +beheld “a new heaven and a new earth,”—the spiritual +universe, whereof Christian Science now bears testimony. + +Our Master said, “The works that I do shall ye do +also;” and, “The kingdom of God is within you.” This [10] +makes practical all his words and works. As the ages +advance in spirituality, Christian Science will be seen +to depart from the trend of other Christian denomina- +tions in no wise except by increase of spirituality. + +My first plank in the platform of Christian Science [15] +is as follows: “There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor +substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite +manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal +Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and +eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is [20] +God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man +is not material; he is spiritual.”(1) + +[Page 22.] + +I am strictly a theist—believe in one God, one Christ [1] +or Messiah. + +Science is neither a law of matter nor of man. It is +the unerring manifesto of Mind, the law of God, its +divine Principle. Who dare say that matter or [5] +mortals can evolve Science? Whence, then, is it, if not +from the divine source, and what, but the contempor- +ary of Christianity, so far in advance of human knowl- +edge that mortals must work for the discovery of even a +portion of it? Christian Science translates Mind, God, [10] +to mortals. It is the infinite calculus defining the line, +plane, space, and fourth dimension of Spirit. It abso- +lutely refutes the amalgamation, transmigration, absorp- +tion, or annihilation of individuality. It shows the +impossibility of transmitting human ills, or evil, from one [15] +individual to another; that all true thoughts revolve +in God’s orbits: they come from God and return to +Him,—and untruths belong not to His creation, there- +fore these are null and void. It hath no peer, no comp- +petitor, for it dwelleth in Him besides whom “there is [20] +none other.” + +That Christian Science is Christian, those who have +demonstrated it, according to the rules of its divine +Principle,—together with the sick, the lame, the deaf, and +the blind, healed by it,—have proven to a waiting world. [25] +He who has not tested it, is incompetent to condemn it; +and he who is a willing sinner, cannot demonstrate it. + +A falling apple suggested to Newton more than the +simple fact cognized by the senses, to which it seemed +to fall by reason of its own ponderosity; but the primal [30] +cause, or Mind-force, invisible to material sense, lay +concealed in the treasure-troves of Science. True, + +[Page 23.] + +Newton named it gravitation, having learned so much; [1] +but Science, demanding more, pushes the question: +Whence or what is the power back of gravitation,—the +intelligence that manifests power? Is pantheism true? +Does mind “sleep in the mineral, or dream in the [5] +animal, and wake in man”? Christianity answers this +question. The prophets, Jesus, and the apostles, demon- +strated a divine intelligence that subordinates so-called +material laws; and disease, death, winds, and waves, +obey this intelligence. Was it Mind or matter that spake [10] +in creation, “and it was done”? The answer is self- +evident, and the command remains, “Thou shalt have +no other gods before me.” + +It is plain that the Me spoken of in the First Com- +mandment, must be Mind; for matter is not the Chris- [15] +tian’s God, and is not intelligent. Matter cannot even +talk; and the serpent, Satan, the first talker in its behalf, +lied. Reason and revelation declare that God is both +noumenon and phenomena,—the first and only cause. +The universe, including man, is not a result of atomic [20] +action, material force or energy; it is not organized dust. +God, Spirit, Mind, are terms synonymous for the one +God, whose reflection is creation, and man is His image +and likeness. Few there are who comprehend what Chris- +tian Science means by the word _reflection_. God is seen [25] +only in that which reflects good, Life, Truth, Love— +yea, which manifests all His attributes and power, even +as the human likeness thrown upon the mirror repeats +precisely the looks and actions of the object in front of it. +All must be Mind and Mind’s ideas; since, according to [30] +natural science, God, Spirit, could not change its species +and evolve matter. + +[Page 24.] + +These facts enjoin the First Commandment; and [1] +knowledge of them makes man spiritually minded. St. +Paul writes: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to +be spiritually minded is life and peace.” This knowl- +edge came to me in an hour of great need; and I give it [5] +to you as death-bed testimony to the daystar that dawned +on the night of material sense. This knowledge is +practical, for it wrought my immediate recovery from +an injury caused by an accident, and pronounced fatal +by the physicians. On the third day thereafter, I called [10] +for my Bible, and opened it at Matthew ix. 2. As I +read, the healing Truth dawned upon my sense; and +the result was that I rose, dressed myself, and ever after +was in better health than I had before enjoyed. That +short experience included a glimpse of the great fact [15] +that I have since tried to make plain to others, namely, +Life in and of Spirit; this Life being the sole reality of +existence. I learned that mortal thought evolves a sub- +jective state which it names matter, thereby shutting +out the true sense of Spirit. _Per contra_, Mind and man [20] +are immortal; and knowledge gained from mortal sense +is illusion, error, the opposite of Truth; therefore it +cannot be true. A knowledge of both good and evil +(when good is God, and God is All) is impossible. Speak- +ing of the origin of evil, the Master said: “When he [25] +speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, +and the father of it.” God warned man not to believe +the talking serpent, or rather the allegory describing +it. The Nazarene Prophet declared that his followers +should handle serpents; that is, put down all subtle falsi- [30] +ties or illusions, and thus destroy any supposed effect +arising from false claims exercising their supposed power + +[Page 25.] + +on the mind and body of man against his holiness and [1] +health. + +That there is but one God or Life, one cause and +one effect, is the _multum in parvo_ of Christian Science; +and to my understanding it is the heart of Christianity, [5] +the religion that Jesus taught and demonstrated. In +divine Science it is found that matter is a phase of +error, and that neither one really exists, since God is +Truth, and All-in-all. Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, +in its direct application to human needs, confirms this [10] +conclusion. + +Science, understood, translates matter into Mind, +rejects all other theories of causation, restores the spir- +itual and original meaning of the Scriptures, and ex- +plains the teachings and life of our Lord. It is religion’s [15] +“new tongue,” with “signs following,” spoken of by +St. Mark. It gives God’s infinite meaning to mankind, +healing the sick, casting out evil, and raising the spirit- +ually dead. Christianity is Christlike only as it re- +iterates the word, repeats the works, and manifests the [20] +spirit of Christ. + +Jesus’ only medicine was omnipotent and omniscient +Mind. As _omni_ is from the Latin word meaning _all_, +this medicine is all-power; and omniscience means as +well, all-science. The sick are more deplorably situated [25] +than the sinful, if the sick cannot trust God for help and +the sinful can. If God created drugs good, they cannot be +harmful; if He could create them otherwise, then they +are bad and unfit for man; and if He created drugs for +healing the sick, why did not Jesus employ them and [30] +recommend them for that purpose? + +No human hypotheses, whether in philosophy, medi- + +[Page 26.] + +cine, or religion, can survive the wreck of time; but [1] +whatever is of God, hath life abiding in it, and ulti- +mately will be known as self-evident truth, as demonstra- +ble as mathematics. Each successive period of progress +is a period more humane and spiritual. The only logical [5] +conclusion is that all is Mind and its manifestation, from +the rolling of worlds, in the most subtle ether, to a potato- +patch. + +The agriculturist ponders the history of a seed, and +believes that his crops come from the seedling and the [10] +loam; even while the Scripture declares He made “every +plant of the field before it was in the earth.” The Scien- +tist asks, Whence came the first seed, and what made +the soil? Was it molecules, or material atoms? Whence +came the infinitesimals,—from infinite Mind, or from [15] +matter? If from matter, how did matter originate? Was +it self-existent? Matter is not intelligent, and thus able +to evolve or create itself: it is the very opposite of Spirit, +intelligent, self-creative, and infinite Mind. The belief +of mind in matter is pantheism. Natural history shows [20] +that neither a genus nor a species produces its opposite. +God is All, in all. What can be more than All? Noth- +ing: and this is just what I call matter, _nothing_. Spirit, +God, has no antecedent; and God’s consequent is the +spiritual cosmos. The phrase, “express image,” in the [25] +common version of Hebrews i. 3, is, in the Greek Tes- +tament, _character_. + +The Scriptures name God as good, and the Saxon +term for God is also good. From this premise comes +the logical conclusion that God is naturally and divinely [30] +infinite good. How, then, can this conclusion change, +or be changed, to mean that good is evil, or the creator + +[Page 27.] + +of evil? What can there be besides infinity? Nothing! [1] +Therefore the Science of good calls evil _nothing_. In +divine Science the terms God and good, as Spirit, are +synonymous. That God, good, creates evil, or aught +that can result in evil,—or that Spirit creates its oppo- [5] +site, named matter,—are conclusions that destroy their +premise and prove themselves invalid. Here is where +Christian Science sticks to its text, and other systems +of religion abandon their own logic. Here also is found +the pith of the basal statement, the cardinal point in [10] +Christian Science, that matter and evil (including all +inharmony, sin, disease, death) are _unreal_. Mortals +accept natural science, wherein no species ever pro- +duces its opposite. Then why not accept divine Sci- +ence on this ground? since the Scriptures maintain [15] +this fact by parable and proof, asking, “Do men +gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” “Doth a +fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and +bitter?” + +According to reason and revelation, evil and matter [20] +are negation: for evil signifies the absence of good, God, +though God is ever present; and matter claims some- +thing besides God, when God is really _All_. Creation, +evolution, or manifestation,—being in and of Spirit, +Mind, and all that really is,—must be spiritual and [25] +mental. This is Science, and is susceptible of proof. + +But, say you, is a stone spiritual? + +To erring material sense, No! but to unerring spiritual +sense, it is a small manifestation of Mind, a type of spirit- +ual substance, “the substance of things hoped for.” [30] +Mortals can know a stone as substance, only by first ad- +mitting that it is substantial. Take away the mortal sense + +[Page 28.] + +of substance, and the stone itself would disappear, only [1] +to reappear in the spiritual sense thereof. Matter can +neither see, hear, feel, taste, nor smell; having no sen- +sation of its own. Perception by the five personal senses +is mental, and dependent on the beliefs that mortals [5] +entertain. Destroy the belief that you can walk, and +volition ceases; for muscles cannot move without mind. +Matter takes no cognizance of matter. In dreams, things +are only what mortal mind makes them; and the phe- +nomena of mortal life are as dreams; and this so-called [10] +life is a dream soon told. In proportion as mortals turn +from this mortal and material dream, to the true sense +of reality, everlasting Life will be found to be the only +Life. That death does not destroy the beliefs of the flesh, +our Master proved to his doubting disciple, Thomas. Also, [15] +he demonstrated that divine Science alone can overbear +materiality and mortality; and this great truth was shown +is by his ascension after death, whereby he arose above +the illusion of matter. + +The First Commandment, “Thou shalt have no other [20] +gods before me,” suggests the inquiry, What meaneth +this Me,—Spirit, or matter? It certainly does not +signify a graven idol, and must mean Spirit. Then +the commandment means, Thou shalt recognize no +intelligence nor life in matter; and find neither pleasure [25] +nor pain therein. The Master’s practical knowledge +of this grand verity, together with his divine Love, +healed the sick and raised the dead. He literally +annulled the claims of physique and of physical law, +by the superiority of the higher law; hence his decla- [30] +ration, “These signs shall follow them that believe;... +if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; + +[Page 29.] + +they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” [1] + +Do you believe his words? I do, and that his prom- +ise is perpetual. Had it been applicable only to his +immediate disciples, the pronoun would be _you_, not _them_. [5] +The purpose of his life-work touches universal human- +ity. At another time he prayed, not for the twelve +only, but “for them also which shall believe on me through +their word.” + +The Christ-healing was practised even before the Christ- [10] +ian era; “the Word was with God, and the Word was +God.” There is, however, no analogy between Christian +Science and spiritualism, or between it and any specu- +lative theory. + +In 1867, I taught the first student in Christian Science. [15] +Since that date I have known of but fourteen deaths +in the ranks of my about five thousand students. The +census since 1875 (the date of the first publication of +my work, “Science and Health with Key to the Scrip- +tures”) shows that longevity has _increased_. Daily letters [20] +inform me that a perusal of my volume is healing the +writers of chronic and acute diseases that had defied medi- +cal skill. + +Surely the people of the Occident know that esoteric +magic and Oriental barbarisms will neither flavor Chris- [25] +tianity nor advance health and length of days. + +Miracles are no infraction of God’s laws; on the +contrary, they fulfil His laws; for they are the signs fol- +lowing Christianity, whereby matter is proven power- +less and subordinate to Mind. Christians, like students [30] +in mathematics, should be working up to those higher +rules of Life which Jesus taught and proved. Do we + +[Page 30.] + +really understand the divine Principle of Christianity [1] +before we prove it, in at least some feeble demonstra- +tion thereof, according to Jesus’ example in healing the +sick? Should we adopt the “simple addition” in Chris- +tian Science and doubt its higher rules, or despair of [5] +ultimately reaching them, even though failing at first to +demonstrate all the possibilities of Christianity? + +St. John spiritually discerned and revealed the sum +total of transcendentalism. He saw the real earth and +heaven. They were spiritual, not material; and they [10] +were without pain, sin, or death. Death was not the +door to this heaven. The gates thereof he declared were +inlaid with pearl,—likening them to the priceless under- +standing of man’s real existence, to be recognized here +and now. [15] + +The great Way-shower illustrated Life unconfined, un- +contaminated, untrammelled, by matter. He proved the +superiority of Mind over the flesh, opened the door to +the captive, and enabled man to demonstrate the law of +Life, which St. Paul declares “hath made me free from [20] +the law of sin and death.” + +The stale saying that Christian Science “is neither +Christian nor science!” is to-day the fossil of wisdom- +less wit, weakness, and superstition. “The fool hath +said in his heart, There is no God.” [25] + +Take courage, dear reader, for any seeming mysti- +cism surrounding realism is explained in the Scripture, +“There went up a mist from the earth [matter];” and +the mist of materialism will vanish as we approach spirit- +uality, the realm of reality; cleanse our lives in Christ’s [30] +righteousness; bathe in the baptism of Spirit, and awake +in His likeness. + + + + + +CHAPTER III. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. + + +[Page 31.] + +_What do you consider to be mental malpractice? [1]_ + +Mental malpractice is a bland denial of Truth, +and is the antipode of Christian Science. To +mentally argue in a manner that can disastrously +affect the happiness of a fellow-being—harm him [5] +morally, physically, or spiritually—breaks the Golden +Rule and subverts the scientific laws of being. This, +therefore, is not the use but the abuse of mental treat- +ment, and is mental malpractice. It is needless to +say that such a subversion of right is not scientific. Its [10] +claim to power is in proportion to the faith in evil, and +consequently to the lack of faith in good. Such false +faith finds no place in, and receives no aid from, the +Principle or the rules of Christian Science; for it denies +the grand verity of this Science, namely, that God, good, [15] +has _all_ power. + +This leaves the individual no alternative but to re- +linquish his faith in evil, or to argue against his own +convictions of good and so destroy his power to be or +to do good, because he has no faith in the _omnipotence_ [20] +of God, good. He parts with his understanding of good, +in order to retain his faith in evil and so succeed with his + +[Page 32.] + +wrong argument,—if indeed he desires success in this [1] +broad road to destruction. + +_How shall we demean ourselves towards the students_ +_of disloyal students? And what about that clergyman’s_ +_remarks on __“__Christ and Christmas__”__?_ [5] + +From this question, I infer that some of my students +seem not to know in what manner they should act towards +the students of false teachers, or such as have strayed +from the rules and divine Principle of Christian Science. +The query is abnormal, when “precept upon precept; [10] +line upon line” are to be found in the Scriptures, and in +my books, on this very subject. + +In Mark, ninth chapter, commencing at the thirty- +third verse, you will find my views on this subject; love +alone is admissible towards friend and foe. My sym- [15] +pathies extend to the above-named class of students more +than to many others. If I had the time to talk with all +students of Christian Science, and correspond with them, +I would gladly do my best towards helping those un- +fortunate seekers after Truth whose teacher is straying [20] +from the straight and narrow path. But I have not mo- +ments enough in which to give to my own flock all the +time and attention that they need,—and charity must +begin at home. + +Distinct denominational and social organizations and [25] +societies are at present necessary for the individual, +and for our Cause. But all people can and should be +just, merciful; they should never envy, elbow, slander, +hate, or try to injure, but always should try to bless their +fellow-mortals. [30] + +To the query in regard to some clergyman’s com- + +[Page 33.] + +ments on my illustrated poem, I will say: It is the righteous [1] +prayer that avails with God. Whatever is wrong will +receive its own reward. The high priests of old caused +the crucifixion of even the great Master; and thereby +they lost, and he won, heaven. I love all ministers and [5] +ministries of Christ, Truth. + +All clergymen may not understand the illustrations +in “Christ and Christmas;” or that these refer not to +personality, but present the type and shadow of Truth’s +appearing in the womanhood as well as in the manhood [10] +of God, our divine Father and Mother. + +_Must I have faith in Christian Science in order to be_ +_healed by it?_ + +This is a question that is being asked every day. It +has not proved impossible to heal those who, when they [15] +began treatment, had no faith whatever in the Science, +—other than to place themselves under my care, and +follow the directions given. Patients naturally gain con- +fidence in Christian Science as they recognize the help +they derive therefrom. [20] + +_What are the advantages of your system of healing, over_ +_the ordinary methods of healing disease?_ + +Healing by Christian Science has the following advantages:— + +_First_: It does away with all material medicines, and [25] +recognizes the fact that, as mortal mind is the cause of +all “the ills that flesh is heir to,” the antidote for sickness, +as well as for sin, may and must be found in mortal mind’s +opposite,—the divine Mind. + +_Second_: It is more effectual than drugs; curing where [30] + +[Page 34.] + +these fail, and leaving none of the harmful “after effects” [1] +of these in the system; thus proving that metaphysics +is above physics. + +_Third:_ One who has been healed by Christian Sci- +ence is not only healed of the disease, but is improved [5] +morally. The body is governed by mind; and mortal +mind must be improved, before the body is renewed +and harmonious,—since the physique is simply thought +made manifest. + +_Is spiritualism or mesmerism included in Christian_ [10] +_Science?_ + +They are wholly apart from it. Christian Science is +based on divine Principle; whereas spiritualism, so far +as I understand it, is a mere speculative opinion and +human belief. If the departed were to communicate [15] +with us, we should see them as they were before death, +and have them with us; after death, they can no more +come to those they have left, than we, in our present state +of existence, can go to the departed or the adult can re- +turn to his boyhood. We may pass on to their state [20] +of existence, but they cannot return to ours. Man is +_im_-mortal, and there is not a moment when he ceases to +exist. All that are called “communications from spirits,” +lie within the realm of mortal thought on this present plane +of existence, and are the antipodes of Christian Science; [25] +the immortal and mortal are as direct opposites as light +and darkness. + +_Who is the Founder of mental healing?_ + +The author of “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures,” who discovered the Science of healing em- [30] + +[Page 35.] + +bodied in her works. Years of practical proof, through [1] +homœopathy, revealed to her the fact that Mind, in- +stead of matter, is the Principle of pathology; and +subsequently her recovery, through the supremacy of +Mind over matter, from a severe casualty pronounced [5] +by the physicians incurable, sealed that proof with the +signet of Christian Science. In 1883, a million of peo- +ple acknowledge and attest the blessings of this mental +system of treating disease. Perhaps the following +words of her husband, the late Dr. Asa G. Eddy, [10] +afford the most concise, yet complete, summary of the +matter:— + +“Mrs, Eddy’s works are the outgrowths of her life. +I never knew so unselfish an individual.” + +_Will the book Science and Health, that you offer for sale_ [15] +_at three dollars, teach its readers to heal the sick,—or is_ +_one obliged to become a student under your personal in-_ +_struction? And if one is obliged to study under you, of_ +_what benefit is your book?_ + +Why do we read the Bible, and then go to church to [20] +hear it expounded? Only because both are important. +Why do we read moral science, and then study it at +college? + +You are benefited by reading Science and Health, but +it is greatly to your advantage to be taught its Science [25] +by the author of that work, who explains it in detail. + +_What is immortal Mind?_ + +In reply, we refer you to “Science and Health with +Key to the Scriptures,”(2) Vol. I. page 14: “That which + +[Page 36.] + +is erring, sinful, sick, and dying, termed material or [1] +mortal man, is neither God’s man nor Mind; but to be +understood, we shall classify evil and error as mortal +mind, in contradistinction to good and Truth, or the +Mind which is immortal.” [5] + +_Do animals and beasts have a mind?_ + +Beasts, as well as men, express Mind as their origin; +but they manifest less of Mind. The first and only +cause is the eternal Mind, which is God, and there is +but one God. The ferocious mind seen in the beast is [10] +mortal mind, which is harmful and proceeds not from +God; for His beast is the lion that lieth down with +the lamb. Appetites, passions, anger, revenge, subtlety, +are the animal qualities of sinning mortals; and the +beasts that have these propensities express the lower [15] +qualities of the so-called animal man; in other words, +the nature and quality of mortal mind,—not immortal +Mind. + +_What is the distinction between mortal mind and immortal_ +_Mind?_ [20] + +Mortal mind includes all evil, disease, and death; +also, all beliefs relative to the so-called material laws, +and all material objects, and the law of sin and death. + +The Scripture says, “The carnal mind [in other words, +mortal mind] is enmity against God; for it is not sub- [25] +ject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Mortal +mind is an illusion; as much in our waking moments +as in the dreams of sleep. The belief that intelligence, +Truth, and Love, are in matter and separate from God, +is an error; for there is no intelligent evil, and no power [30] + +[Page 37.] + +besides God, good. God would not be omnipotent if [1] +there were in reality another mind creating or governing +man or the universe. + +Immortal Mind is God; and this Mind is made +manifest in all thoughts and desires that draw man- [5] +kind toward purity, health, holiness, and the spiritual +facts of being. + +Jesus recognized this relation so clearly that he said, +“I and my Father are one.” In proportion as we oppose +the belief in material sense, in sickness, sin, and death, [10] +and recognize ourselves under the control of God, +spiritual and immortal Mind, shall we go on to leave the +animal for the spiritual, and learn the meaning of those +words of Jesus, “Go ye into all the world ... heal the +sick.” [15] + +_Can your Science cure intemperance?_ + +Christian Science lays the axe at the root of the tree. +Its antidote for all ills is God, the perfect Mind, which +corrects mortal thought, whence cometh all evil. God +can and does destroy the thought that leads to moral [20] +or physical death. Intemperance, impurity, sin of every +sort, is destroyed by Truth. The appetite for alcohol +yields to Science as directly and surely as do sickness +and sin. + +_Does Mrs. Eddy take patients?_ [25] + +She now does not. Her time is wholly devoted to in- +struction, leaving to her students the work of healing; +which, at this hour, is in reality the least difficult of the +labor that Christian Science demands. + +[Page 38.] + +_Why do you charge for teaching Christian Science, when_ [1] +_all the good we can do must be done freely?_ + +When teaching imparts the ability to gain and main- +tain health, to heal and elevate man in every line of +life,—as this teaching certainly does,—is it un- [5] +reasonable to expect in return something to support +one’s self and a Cause? If so, our whole system +of education, secular and religious, is at fault, and the +instructors and philanthropists in our land should ex- +pect no compensation. “If we have sown unto you [10] +spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your +carnal things?” + +_How happened you to establish a college to instruct in_ +_metaphysics, when other institutions find little interest in_ +_such a dry and abstract subject?_ [15] + +Metaphysics, as taught by me at the Massachusetts +Metaphysical College, is far from dry and abstract. It +is a Science that has the animus of Truth. Its practical +application to benefit the race, heal the sick, enlighten +and reform the sinner, makes divine metaphysics need- [20] +ful, indispensable. Teaching metaphysics at other col- +leges means, mainly, elaborating a man-made theory, +or some speculative view too vapory and hypothetical +for questions of practical import. + +_Is it necessary to study your Science in order to be healed_ [25] +_by it and keep well?_ + +It is not necessary to make each patient a student +in order to cure his present disease, if this is what +you mean. Were it so, the Science would be of less + +[Page 39.] + +practical value. Many who apply for help are not [1] +prepared to take a course of instruction in Christian +Science. + +To avoid being _subject_ to disease, would require the +understanding of how you are healed. In 1885, this [5] +knowledge can be obtained in its genuineness at the +Massachusetts Metaphysical College. There are abroad +at this early date some grossly incorrect and false +teachers of what they term Christian Science; of such +beware. They have risen up in a day to make this claim; [10] +whereas the Founder of genuine Christian Science has +been all her years in giving it birth. + +_Can you take care of yourself?_ + +God giveth to every one this _puissance_; and I have +faith in His promise, “Lo, I am with you alway”— [15] +_all the way_. Unlike the M. D.’s, Christian Scientists +are not afraid to take their own medicine, for this +medicine is divine Mind; and from this saving, ex- +haustless source they intend to fill the human mind with +enough of the leaven of Truth to leaven the whole lump. [20] +There may be exceptional cases, where one Christian +Scientist who has more to meet than others needs support +at times; then, it is right to bear “one another’s burdens, +and so fulfil the law of Christ.” + +_In what way is a Christian Scientist an instrument by_ [25] +_which God reaches others to heal them, and what most_ +_obstructs the way?_ + +A Christian, or a Christian Scientist, assumes no more +when claiming to work with God in healing the sick, +than in converting the sinner. Divine help is as neces- + +[Page 40.] + +sary in the one case as in the other. The scientific Prin- [1] +ciple of healing demands such cooperation; but this +unison and its power would be arrested if one were to +mix material methods with the spiritual,—were to min- +gle hygienic rules, drugs, and prayers in the same pro- [5] +cess,—and thus serve “other gods.” Truth is as +effectual in destroying sickness as in the destruction +of sin. + +It is often asked, “If Christian Science is the same +method of healing that Jesus and the apostles used, [10] +why do not its students perform as instantaneous cures +as did those in the first century of the Christian era?” + +In some instances the students of Christian Science +equal the ancient prophets as healers. All true healing +is governed by, and demonstrated on, the same Princi- [15] +ple as theirs; namely, the action of the divine Spirit, +through the power of Truth to destroy error, discord +of whatever sort. The reason that the same results fol- +low not in every ease, is that the student does not in +every case possess sufficiently the Christ-spirit and its [20] +power to cast out the disease. The Founder of Chris- +tian Science teaches her students that they must possess +the spirit of Truth and Love, must gain the power +over sin in themselves, or they cannot be instantaneous +healers. [25] + +In this Christian warfare the student or practitioner +has to master those elements of evil too common to other +minds. If it is hate that is holding the purpose to kill +his patient by mental means, it requires more divine +understanding to conquer this sin than to nullify either [30] +the disease itself or the ignorance by which one unin- +tentionally harms himself or another. An element of + +[Page 41.] + +brute-force that only the cruel and evil can send forth, is [1] +given vent in the diabolical practice of one who, having +learned the power of liberated thought to do good, per- +verts it, and uses it to accomplish an evil purpose. This +mental malpractice would disgrace Mind-healing, were it [5] +not that God overrules it, and causes “the wrath of man” +to praise Him. It deprives those who practise it of the +power to heal, and destroys their own possibility of +progressing. + +The honest student of Christian Science is purged [10] +through Christ, Truth, and thus is ready for victory in +the ennobling strife. The good fight must be fought by +those who keep the faith and finish their course. Mental +purgation must go on: it promotes spiritual growth, +scales the mountain of human endeavor, and gains the [15] +summit in Science that otherwise could not be reached, +—where the struggle with sin is forever done. + +_Can all classes of disease be healed by your method?_ + +We answer, Yes. Mind is the architect that builds +its own idea, and produces all harmony that appears. [20] +There is no other healer in the case. If mortal mind, +through the action of fear, manifests inflammation and a +belief of chronic or acute disease, by removing the cause +in that so-called mind the effect or disease will disappear +and health will be restored; for health, _alias_ harmony, [25] +is the normal manifestation of man in Science. The +divine Principle which governs the universe, including +man, if demonstrated, is sufficient for all emergencies. +But the practitioner may not always prove equal to +bringing out the result of the Principle that he knows to [30] +be true. + +[Page 42.] + +_After the change called death takes place, do we meet_ [1] +_those gone before?—or does life continue in thought only_ +_as in a dream?_ + +Man is not annihilated, nor does he lose his identity, +by passing through the belief called death. After the [5] +momentary belief of dying passes from mortal mind, this +mind is still in a conscious state of existence; and the in- +dividual has but passed through a moment of extreme +mortal fear, to awaken with thoughts, and being, as +material as before. Science and Health clearly states [10] +that spiritualization of thought is not attained by the death +of the body, but by a conscious union with God. When +we shall have passed the ordeal called death, or destroyed +this last enemy, and shall have come upon the same plane +of conscious existence with those gone before, then we [15] +shall be able to communicate with and to recognize them. + +If, before the change whereby we meet the dear de- +parted, our life-work proves to have been well done, we +shall not have to repeat it; but our joys and means of ad- +vancing will be proportionately increased. [20] + +The difference between a belief of material existence +and the spiritual fact of Life is, that the former is a dream +and unreal, while the latter is real and eternal. Only +as we understand God, and learn that good, not evil, +lives and is immortal, that immortality exists only in [25] +spiritual perfection, shall we drop our false sense of Life +in sin or sense material, and recognize a better state of +existence. + +_Can I be treated without being present during treatment?_ + +Mind is not confined to limits; and nothing but our [30] +own false admissions prevent us from demonstrating this + +[Page 43.] + +great fact. Christian Science, recognizing the capabili- [1] +ties of Mind to act of itself, and independent of matter, +enables one to heal cases without even having seen the +individual,—or simply after having been made ac- +quainted with the mental condition of the patient. [5] + +_Do all who at present claim to be teaching Christian_ +_Science, teach it correctly?_ + +By no means: Christian Science is not sufficiently un- +derstood for that. The student of this Science who under- +stands it best, is the one least likely to pour into other [10] +minds a trifling sense of it as being adequate to make safe +and successful practitioners. The simple sense one gains +of this Science through careful, unbiased, contemplative +reading of my books, is far more advantageous to the +sick and to the learner than is or can be the spurious [15] +teaching of those who are spiritually unqualified. The +sad fact at this early writing is, that the letter is gained +sooner than the spirit of Christian Science: time is re- +quired thoroughly to qualify students for the great ordeal +of this century. [20] + +If one student tries to undermine another, such sinister +rivalry does a vast amount of injury to the Cause. To +fill one’s pocket at the expense of his conscience, or to +build on the downfall of others, incapacitates one to +practise or teach Christian Science. The occasional tem- [25] +porary success of such an one is owing, in part, to the im- +possibility for those unacquainted with the mighty Truth +of _Christian_ Science to recognize, as such, the barefaced +errors that are taught—and the damaging effects these +leave on the practice of the learner, on the Cause, and [30] +on the health of the community. + +[Page 44.] + +Honest students speak the truth “according to the [1] +pattern showed to thee in the mount,” and live it: these +are not working for emoluments, and may profitably +teach people, who are ready to investigate this subject, +the rudiments of Christian Science. [5] + +_Can Christian Science cure acute cases where there is_ +_necessity for immediate relief, as in membranous croup?_ + +The remedial power of Christian Science is positive, +and its application direct. It cannot fail to heal in +every case of disease, when conducted by one who un- [10] +derstands this Science sufficiently to demonstrate its +highest possibilities. + +_If I have the toothache, and nothing stops it until I_ +_have the tooth extracted, and then the pain ceases, has_ +_the mind, or extracting, or both, caused the pain to_ [15] +_cease?_ + +What you thought was pain in the bone or nerve, could +only have been a belief of pain in matter; for matter +has no sensation. It was a state of mortal thought made +manifest in the flesh. You call this body matter, when [20] +awake, or when asleep in a dream. That matter can re- +report pain, or that mind is _in_ matter, reporting sensa- +tions, is but a dream at all times. You believed that if +the tooth were extracted, the pain would cease: this de- +mand of mortal thought once met, your belief assumed [25] +a new form, and said, There is no more pain. When +your belief in pain ceases, the pain stops; for matter +has no intelligence of its own. By applying this men- +tal remedy or antidote directly to your belief, you scien- + +[Page 45.] + +tifically prove the fact that Mind is supreme. This is not [1] +done by will-power, for that is not Science but mesmerism. +The full understanding that God is Mind, and that mat- +ter is but a belief, enables you to control pain. Chris- +tian Science, by means of its Principle of metaphysical [5] +healing, is able to do more than to heal a toothache; +although its power to allay fear, prevent inflammation, +and destroy the necessity for ether—thereby avoiding +the fatal results that frequently follow the use of that +drug—render this Science invaluable in the practice [10] +of dentistry. + +_Can an atheist or a profane man be cured by metaphysics,_ +_or Christian Science?_ + +The moral status of the man demands the remedy of +Truth more in this than in most cases; therefore, under [15] +the deific law that supply invariably meets demand, this +Science is effectual in treating moral ailments. Sin is +not the master of divine Science, but _vice versa_; and +when Science in a single instance decides the conflict, +the patient is better both morally and physically. [20] + +_If God made all that was made, and it was good, where_ +_did evil originate?_ + +It never originated or existed as an entity. It is but a +false belief; even the belief that God is not what the +Scriptures imply Him to be, All-in-all, but that there [25] +is an opposite intelligence or mind termed evil. This +error of belief is idolatry, having “other gods before me.” +In John i. 3 we read, “All things were made by Him; +and without Him was not anything made that was made.” + +[Page 46.] + +The admission of the reality of evil perpetuates the belief [1] +or faith in evil. The Scriptures declare, “To whom ye +yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are.” +The leading self-evident proposition of Christian Science +is: good being real, evil, good’s opposite, is unreal. This [5] +truism needs only to be tested scientifically to be found +true, and adapted to destroy the appearance of evil to an +extent beyond the power of any doctrine previously +entertained. + +_Do you teach that you are equal with God?_ [10] + +A reader of my writings would not present this ques- +tion. There are no such indications in the premises or +conclusions of Christian Science, and such a misconcep- +tion of Truth is not scientific. Man is not equal with +his Maker; that which is formed is not cause, but effect, [15] +and has no power underived from its creator. It is pos- +sible, and it is man’s duty, so to throw the weight of his +thoughts and acts on the side of Truth, that he be ever +found in the scale _with_ his creator; not weighing +equally with Him, but comprehending at every point, in [20] +divine Science, the full significance of what the apostle +meant by the declaration, “The Spirit itself beareth wit- +ness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and +if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with +Christ.” In Science, man represents his divine Prin- [25] +ciple,—the Life and Love that are God,—even as the +idea of sound, in tones, represents harmony; but thought +has not yet wholly attained unto the Science of being, +wherein man is perfect even as the Father, his divine +Principle, is perfect. [30] + +[Page 47.] + +_How can I believe that there is no such thing as matter,_ [1] +_when I weigh over two hundred pounds and carry about_ +_this weight daily?_ + +By learning that matter is but manifest mortal mind. +You entertain an adipose belief of yourself as substance; [5] +whereas, substance means more than matter: it is the +glory and permanence of Spirit: it is that which is +hoped for but unseen, that which the material senses +cannot take in. Have you never been so preoccupied in +thought when moving your body, that you did this with- [10] +out consciousness of its weight? If never in your waking +hours, you have been in your night-dreams; and these +tend to elucidate your day-dream, or the mythical nature +of matter, and the possibilities of mind when let loose +from its own beliefs. In sleep, a sense of the body ac- [15] +companies thought with less impediment than when +awake, which is the truer sense of being. In Science, +body is the servant of Mind, not its master: Mind is +supreme. Science reverses the evidence of material +sense with the spiritual sense that God, Spirit, is the only [20] +substance; and that man, His image and likeness, is +spiritual, not material. This great Truth does not de- +stroy but substantiates man’s identity,—together with +his immortality and preexistence, or his spiritual co- +existence with his Maker. That which has a beginning [25] +must have an ending. + +_What should one conclude as to Professor Carpenter’s_ +_exhibitions of mesmerism?_ + +That largely depends upon what one accepts as either +useful or true. I have no knowledge of mesmerism, [30] + +[Page 48.] + +practically or theoretically, save as I measure its demon- [1] +strations as a false belief, and avoid all that works ill. If +mesmerism has the power attributed to it by the gentle- +man referred to, it should neither be taught nor practised, +but should be conscientiously condemned. One thing [5] +is quite apparent; namely, that its so-called power is +despotic, and Mr. Carpenter deserves praise for his public +exposure of it. If such be its power, I am opposed to it, +as to every form of error,—whether of ignorance or +fanaticism, prompted by money-making or malice. It [10] +is enough for me to know that animal magnetism is neither +of God nor Science. + +It is alleged that at one of his recent lectures in Bos- +ton Mr. Carpenter made a man drunk on water, and +then informed his audience that he could produce the [15] +effect of alcohol, or of any drug, on the human system, +through the action of mind alone. This honest declara- +tion as to the animus of animal magnetism and the pos- +sible purpose to which it can be devoted, has, we trust, +been made in season to open the eyes of the people to the [20] +hidden nature of some tragic events and sudden deaths +at this period. + +_Was ever a person made insane by studying meta-_ +_physics?_ + +Such an occurrence would be impossible, for the [25] +proper study of Mind-healing would cure the insane. +That persons have gone away from the Massachusetts +Metaphysical College “made insane by Mrs. Eddy’s +teachings,” like a hundred other stories, is a baseless +fabrication offered solely to injure her or her school. [30] +The enemy is trying to make capital out of the follow- + +[Page 49.] + +ing case. A young lady entered the College class who, [1] +I quickly saw, had a tendency to monomania, and re- +quested her to withdraw before its close. We are cred- +ibly informed that, before entering the College, this +young lady had manifested some mental unsoundness, [5] +and have no doubt she could have been restored by +Christian Science treatment. Her friends employed a +homœopathist, who had the skill and honor to state, as his +opinion given to her friends, that “Mrs. Eddy’s teach- +ings had not produced insanity.” This is the only case [10] +that could be distorted into the claim of insanity ever +having occurred in a class of Mrs. Eddy’s; while ac- +knowledged and notable cases of insanity have been +cured in her class. + +_If all that is mortal is a dream or error, is not_ [15] +_our capacity for formulating a dream, real; is it not_ +_God-made; and if God-made, can it be wrong, sinful, or_ +_an error?_ + +The spirit of Truth leads into all truth, and enables +man to discern between the real and the unreal. Enter- [20] +taining the common belief in the opposite of goodness, +and that evil is as real as good, opposes the leadings of +the divine Spirit that are helping man Godward: it pre- +vents a recognition of the nothingness of the dream, or +belief, that Mind is in matter, intelligence in non-intel- [25] +ligence, sin, and death. This belief presupposes not +only a power opposed to God, and that God is not All- +in-all, as the Scriptures imply Him to be, but that the +capacity to err proceeds from God. + +That God is Truth, the Scriptures aver; that Truth [30] +never created error, or such a capacity, is self-evident; + +[Page 50.] + +that God made all that was made, is again Scriptural; [1] +therefore your answer is, that error is an illusion of +mortals; that God is not its author, and it cannot be +real. + +_Does __“__Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures__”_ [5] +_explain the entire method of metaphysical healing, or is_ +_there a secret back of what is contained in that book, as_ +_some say?_ + +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” +is a complete textbook of Christian Science; and its [10] +metaphysical method of healing is as lucid in presenta- +tion as can be possible, under the necessity to express +the metaphysical in physical terms. There is absolutely +no additional secret outside of its teachings, or that gives +one the power to heal; but it is essential that the student [15] +gain the spiritual understanding of the contents of this +book, in order to heal. + +_Do you believe in change of heart?_ + +We do believe, and understand—which is more— +that there must be a change from human affections, de- [20] +sires, and aims, to the divine standard, “Be ye therefore +perfect;” also, that there must be a change from the be- +lief that the heart is matter and sustains life, to the +understanding that God is our Life, that we exist in +Mind, live thereby, and have being. This change of [25] +heart would deliver man from heart-disease, and ad- +vance Christianity a hundredfold. The human affections +need to be changed from self to benevolence and love +for God and man; changed to having but _one_ God and +loving Him supremely, and helping our brother man. [30] + +[Page 51.] + +This change of heart is essential to Christianity, and [1] +will have its effect physically as well as spiritually, +healing disease. Burnt offerings and drugs, God does +not require. + +_Is a belief of nervousness, accompanied by great mental_ [5] +_depression, mesmerism?_ + +All mesmerism is of one of three kinds; namely, the +ignorant, the fraudulent, or the malicious workings of +error or mortal mind. We have not the particulars of +the case to which you may refer, and for this reason can- [10] +not answer your question professionally. + +_How can I govern a child metaphysically? Doesn’t the_ +_use of the rod teach him life in matter?_ + +The use of the rod is virtually a declaration to the +child’s mind that sensation belongs to matter. Motives [15] +govern acts, and Mind governs man. If you make clear +to the child’s thought the right motives for action, and +cause him to love them, they will lead him aright: if you +educate him to love God, good, and obey the Golden +Rule, he will love and obey you without your having to [20] +resort to corporeal punishment. + + + “"When from the lips of Truth one mighty breath + Shall, like a whirlwind, scatter in its breeze + The whole dark pile of human mockeries; + Then shall the reign of Mind commence on earth, [25] + And starting fresh, as from a second birth, + Man in the sunshine of the world’s new spring, + Shall walk transparent like some holy thing.” + + +_Are both prayer and drugs necessary to heal?_ + +The apostle James said, “Ye ask, and receive not, [30] +because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your + +[Page 52.] + +lusts.” This text may refer to such as seek the material [1] +to aid the spiritual, and take drugs to support God’s +power to heal them. It is difficult to say how much +one can do for himself, whose faith is divided be- +tween catnip and Christ; but not so difficult to know [5] +that if he were to serve one master, he could do vastly +more. Whosoever understands the power of Spirit, has +no doubt of God’s power,—even the might of Truth,— +to heal, through divine Science, beyond all human means +and methods. [10] + +_What do you think of marriage?_ + +That it is often convenient, sometimes pleasant, and +occasionally a love affair. Marriage is susceptible of +many definitions. It sometimes presents the most +wretched condition of human existence. To be normal, [15] +it must be a union of the affections that tends to lift +mortals higher. + +_If this life is a dream not dispelled, but only changed,_ +_by death,—if one gets tired of it, why not commit_ +_suicide?_ [20] + +Man’s existence is a problem to be wrought in divine +Science. What progress would a student of science +make, if, when tired of mathematics or failing to dem- +onstrate one rule readily, he should attempt to work +out a rule farther on and more difficult—and this, [25] +because the first rule was not easily demonstrated? In +that case he would be obliged to turn back and work +out the previous example, before solving the advanced +problem. Mortals have the sum of being to work out, +and up, to its spiritual standpoint. They must work [30] + +[Page 53.] + +out of this dream or false claim of sensation and life [1] +in matter, and up to the spiritual realities of existence, +before this false claim can be wholly dispelled. Com- +mitting suicide to dodge the question is not working +it out. The error of supposed life and intelligence in [5] +matter, is dissolved only as we master error with Truth. +Not through sin or suicide, but by _overcoming_ tempta- +tion and sin, shall we escape the weariness and wicked- +ness of mortal existence, and gain heaven, the harmony +of being. [10] + +_Do you sometimes find it advisable to use medicine to_ +_assist in producing a cure, when it is difficult to start the_ +_patient’s recovery?_ + +You only weaken your power to heal through Mind, +by any compromise with matter; which is virtually ac- [15] +knowledging that under difficulties the former is not equal +to the latter. He that resorts to physics, seeks what is +below instead of above the standard of metaphysics; +showing his ignorance of the meaning of the term and +of Christian Science. [20] + +_If Christian Science is the same as Jesus taught, why is_ +_it not more simple, so that all can readily understand it?_ + +The teachings of Jesus were simple; and yet he found +it difficult to make the rulers understand, because of +their great lack of spirituality. Christian Science is [25] +simple, and readily understood by the children; only +the thought educated away from it finds it abstract or +difficult to perceive. Its seeming abstraction is the +mystery of godliness; and godliness is simple to the +godly; but to the unspiritual, the ungodly, it is dark [30] + +[Page 54.] + +and difficult. The carnal mind cannot discern spiritual [1] +things. + +_Has Mrs. Eddy lost her power to heal?_ + +Has the sun forgotten to shine, and the planets to +revolve around it? Who is it that discovered, dem- [5] +onstrated, and teaches Christian Science? That one, +whoever it be, does understand something of what can- +not be lost. Thousands in the field of metaphysical +healing, whose lives are worthy testimonials, are her +students, and they bear witness to this fact. Instead [10] +of losing her power to heal, she is demonstrating the +power of Christian Science over all obstacles that envy +and malice would fling in her path. The reading of her +book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” +is curing hundreds at this very time; and the sick, un- [15] +asked, are testifying thereto. + +_Must I study your Science in order to keep well all my_ +_life? I was healed of a chronic trouble after one month’s_ +_treatment by one of your students._ + +When once you are healed by Science, there is no rea- [20] +son why you should be liable to a return of the disease +that you were healed of. But not to be subject again to +any disease whatsoever, would require an understanding +of the Science by which you were healed. + +_Because none of your students have been able to perform_ [25] +_as great miracles in healing as Jesus and his disciples did,_ +_does it not suggest the possibility that they do not heal on_ +_the same basis?_ + +You would not ask the pupil in simple equations to +solve a problem involving logarithms; and then, because [30] + +[Page 55.] + +he failed to get the right answer, condemn the pupil [1] +and the science of numbers. The simplest problem +in Christian Science is healing the sick, and the least +understanding and demonstration thereof prove all its +possibilities. The ability to demonstrate to the extent [5] +that Jesus did, will come when the student possesses as +much of the divine Spirit as he shared, and utilizes its +power to overcome sin. + +Opposite to good, is the universal claim of evil that +seeks the proportions of good. There may be those [10] +who, having learned the power of the unspoken thought, +use it to harm rather than to heal, and who are using +that power against Christian Scientists. This giant sin +is the sin against the Holy Ghost spoken of in Matt. +xii. 31, 32. [15] + +_Is Christian Science based on the facts of both Spirit_ +_and matter?_ + +Christian Science is based on the facts of Spirit and +its forms and representations, but these facts are the +direct antipodes of the so-called facts of matter; and [20] +the eternal verities of Spirit assert themselves over their +opposite, or matter, in the final destruction of all that +is unlike Spirit. + +Man knows that he can have one God only, when +he regards God as the only Mind, Life, and substance. [25] +If God is Spirit, as the Scriptures declare, and All-in- +all, matter is mythology, and its laws are mortal +beliefs. + +If Mind is in matter and beneath a skull bone, it is +in something unlike Him; hence it is either a godless and [30] +material Mind, or it is God in matter,—which are theo- + +[Page 56.] + +ries of agnosticism and pantheism, the very antipodes [1] +of Christian Science + +_What is organic life?_ + +Life is inorganic, infinite Spirit; if Life, or Spirit, +were organic, disorganization would destroy Spirit and [5] +annihilate man. + +If Mind is not substance, form, and tangibility, God +is substanceless; for the substance of Spirit is divine +Mind. Life is God, the only creator, and Life is im- +mortal Mind, not matter. [10] + +Every indication of matter’s constituting life is mortal, +the direct opposite of immortal Life, and infringes the +rights of Spirit. Then, to conclude that Spirit consti- +tutes or ever has constituted laws to that effect, is a mor- +tal error, a human conception opposed to the divine [15] +government. Mind and matter mingling in perpetual +warfare is a kingdom divided against itself, that shall be +brought to desolation. The final destruction of this +false belief in matter will appear at the full revelation +of Spirit,—one God, and the brotherhood of man. [20] +Organic life is an error of statement that Truth destroys. +The Science of Life needs only to be understood; its dem- +onstration proves the correctness of my statements, and +brings blessings infinite. + +_Why did God command, __“__Be fruitful, and multiply,_ [25] +_and replenish the earth,__”__ if all minds (men) have existed_ +_from the beginning, and have had successive stages of_ +_existence to the present time?_ + +Your question implies that Spirit, which first spirit- +ually created the universe, including man, created man [30] + +[Page 57.] + +over again materially; and, by the aid of mankind, all [1] +was later made which _He had made_. If the first record +is true, what evidence have you—apart from the evi- +dence of that which you admit cannot discern spiritual +things—of any other creation? The creative “Us” [5] +made all, and Mind was the creator. Man originated +not from dust, materially, but from Spirit, spiritually. +This work had been done; the true creation was finished, +and its spiritual Science is alluded to in the first chapter +of Genesis. [10] + +Jesus said of error, “That thou doest, do quickly.” +By the law of opposites, after the truth of man had been +demonstrated, the postulate of error must appear. That +this addendum was untrue, is seen when Truth, God, +denounced it, and said: “I will greatly multiply thy [15] +sorrow.” “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt +surely die.” The opposite error said, “I am true,” and +declared, “God doth know ... that your eyes shall be +opened, and ye shall be as gods,” creators. This was false; +and the Lord God never said it. This history of a falsity [20] +must be told in the name of Truth, or it would have no +seeming. The Science of creation is the universe with man +created spiritually. The false sense and error of creation +is the sense of man and the universe created materially. + +_Why does the record make man a creation of the sixth_ [25] +_and last day, if he was coexistent with God?_ + +In its genesis, the Science of creation is stated in mathe- +matical order, beginning with the lowest form and ascend- +ing the scale of being up to man. But all that really is, +always was and forever is; for it existed in and of the Mind [30] +that is God, wherein man is foremost. + +[Page 58.] + +_If one has died of consumption, and he has no remem-_ [1] +_brance of that disease or dream, does that disease have any_ +_more power over him?_ + +Waking from a dream, one learns its _unreality_; then +it has no power over one. Waking from the dream of [5] +death, proves to him who thought he died that it was a +dream, and that he did not die; then he learns that con- +sumption did not kill him. When the belief in the power +of disease is destroyed, disease cannot return. + +_How does Mrs. Eddy know that she has read and studied_ [10] +_correctly, if one must deny the evidences of the senses?_ +_She had to use her eyes to read._ + +Jesus said, “Having eyes, see ye not?” I read the in- +spired page through a higher than mortal sense. As +matter, the eye cannot see; and as mortal mind, it is a [15] +belief that sees. I may read the Scriptures through a +belief of eyesight; but I must spiritually understand +them to interpret their Science. + +_Does the theology of Christian Science aid its heal-_ +_ing?_ [20] + +Without its theology there is no mental science, no +order that proceeds from God. All Science is divine, +not human, in origin and demonstration. If God does +not govern the action of man, it is inharmonious: if He +does govern it, the action is Science. Take away the [25] +theology of mental healing and you take away its science, +leaving it a human “mind-cure,” nothing more nor less, +—even one human mind governing another; by which, +if you agree that God is Mind, you admit that there is + +[Page 59.] + +more than one government and God. Having no true [1] +sense of the healing theology of Mind, you can neither +understand nor demonstrate its Science, and will prac- +tise your belief of it in the name of Truth. This is the +mortal “mind-cure” that produces the effect of mes- [5] +merism. It is using the power of human will, instead +of the divine power understood, as in Christian Science; +and without this Science there had better be no “mind- +cure,”—in which the last state of patients is worse than +the first. [10] + +_Is it wrong to pray for the recovery of the sick?_ + +Not if we pray Scripturally, with the understanding +that God _has_ given all things to those who love Him; +but pleading with infinite Love to love us, or to restore +health and harmony, and then to admit that it has been [15] +lost under His government, is the prayer of doubt and +mortal belief that is unavailing in divine Science. + +_Is not all argument mind over mind?_ + +The Scriptures refer to God as saying, “Come now, and +let us reason together.” There is but one right Mind, and [20] +that one should and does govern man. Any copartnership +with that Mind is impossible; and the only benefit in +speaking often one to another, arises from the success that +one individual has with another in leading his thoughts +away from the human mind or body, and guiding them [25] +with Truth. That individual is the best healer who as- +serts himself the least, and thus becomes a transparency +for the divine Mind, who is the only physician; the divine +Mind is the scientific healer. + +[Page 60.] + +_How can you believe there is no sin, and that God does_ [1] +_not recognize any, when He sent His Son to save from_ +_sin, and the Bible is addressed to sinners? How can you_ +_believe there is no sickness, when Jesus came healing the_ +_sick? [5]_ + +To regard sin, disease, and death with less deference, +and only as the woeful unrealities of being, is the only +way to destroy them; Christian Science is proving this by +healing cases of disease and sin after all other means have +failed. The Nazarene Prophet could make the unreality [10] +of both apparent in a moment. + +_Does it not limit the power of Mind to deny the possi-_ +_bility of communion with departed friends—dead only in_ +_belief?_ + +Does it limit the power of Mind to say that addition [15] +is not subtraction in mathematics? The Science of Mind +reveals the impossibility of two individual sleepers, in +different phases of thought, communicating, even if touch- +ing each other corporeally; or for one who sleeps to +communicate with another who is awake. Mind’s possi- [20] +bilities are not lessened by being confined and conformed +to the Science of being. + +_If mortal mind and body are myths, what is the con-_ +_nection between them and real identity, and why are there_ +_as many identities as mortal bodies?_ [25] + +Evil in the beginning claimed the power, wisdom, and +utility of good; and every creation or idea of Spirit has +its counterfeit in some matter belief. Every material be- +lief hints the existence of spiritual reality; and if mortals +are instructed in spiritual things, it will be seen that ma- [30] + +[Page 61.] + +terial belief, in all its manifestations, reversed, will be [1] +found the type and representative of verities priceless, +eternal, and just at hand. + +The education of the future will be instruction, in spir- +itual Science, against the material symbolic counterfeit [5] +sciences. All the knowledge and vain strivings of mortal +mind, that lead to death,—even when aping the wisdom +and magnitude of immortal Mind,—will be swallowed +up by the reality and omnipotence of Truth over error, +and of Life over death. [10] + +“_Dear Mrs. Eddy_:—In the October _Journal_ I read +the following: “But the real man, who was created in the +image of God, does not commit sin.” _What then does sin?_ +_What commits theft? Or who does murder?_ For instance, +the man is held responsible for the crime; for I went once [15] +to a place where a man was said to be “hanged for mur- +der”—and certainly I saw him, or his effigy, dangling +at the end of a rope. This “man” was held responsible +for the ‘sin.’ ” + +_What sins?_ [20] + +According to the Word, man is the image and likeness +of God. Does God’s essential likeness sin, or dangle at +the end of a rope? If not, what does? A culprit, a sinner, +—anything but a man! Then, what is a sinner? A +mortal; but man is _immortal_. [25] + +Again: mortals are the embodiments (or bodies, if +you please) of error, not of Truth; of sickness, sin, and +death. Naming these His embodiment, can neither make +them so nor overthrow the logic that man is God’s like- +ness. Mortals seem very material; man in the likeness [30] + +[Page 62.] + +of Spirit is spiritual. Holding the _right_ idea of man in my [1] +mind, I can improve my own, and other people’s individ- +uality, health, and morals; whereas, the opposite image +of man, a sinner, kept constantly in mind, can no more +improve health or morals, than holding in thought the [5] +form of a boa-constrictor can aid an artist in painting a +landscape. + +Man is seen only in the true likeness of his Maker. +Believing a lie veils the truth from our vision; even as +in mathematics, in summing up positive and negative [10] +quantities, the negative quantity offsets an equal positive +quantity, making the aggregate positive, or true quantity, +by that much, less available. + +_Why do Christian Scientists hold that their theology is_ +_essential to heal the sick, when the mind-cure claims to heal_ [15] +_without it?_ + +The theology of Christian Science is Truth; opposed +to which is the error of sickness, sin, and death, that +Truth destroys. + +A “mind-cure” is a matter-cure. An adherent to this [20] +method honestly acknowledges this fact in her work +entitled “Mind-cure on a Material Basis.” In that +work the author grapples with Christian Science, attempts +to solve its divine Principle by the rule of human mind, +fails, and ends in a parody on this Science which is amus- [25] +ing to astute readers,—especially when she tells them +that she is practising this Science. + +The theology of Christian Science is based on the action +of the divine Mind over the human mind and body; +whereas, “mind-cure” rests on the notion that the human [30] +mind can cure its own disease, or that which it causes, + +[Page 63.] + +and the _sickness of matter_,—which is infidel in the one [1] +case, and anomalous in the other. It was said of old by +Truth-traducers, that Jesus healed through Beelzebub; +but the claim that one erring mind cures another one was +at first gotten up to hinder his benign influence and to hide [5] +his divine power. + +Our Master understood that Life, Truth, Love are the +triune Principle of all pure theology; also, that this divine +trinity is one infinite remedy for the opposite triad, sick- +ness, sin, and death. [10] + +_If there is no sin, why did Jesus come to save sinners?_ + +If there is no reality in sickness, why does a Chris- +tian Scientist go to the bedside and address himself to +the healing of disease, on the basis of its unreality? +Jesus came to seek and to save such as believe in the [15] +reality of the unreal; to save them from _this false belief_; +that they might lay hold of eternal Life, the great reality +that concerns man, and understand the final fact,—that +God is omnipotent and omnipresent; yea, “that the Lord +He is God; there is none else beside Him,” as the Scrip- [20] +tures declare. + +_If Christ was God, why did Jesus cry out, __“__My God,_ +_why hast Thou forsaken me?__”_ + +Even as the struggling heart, reaching toward a higher +goal, appeals to its hope and faith, Why failest thou [25] +me? Jesus as the son of man was human: Christ as +the Son of God was divine. This divinity was reaching +humanity through the crucifixion of the human,—that +momentous demonstration of God, in which Spirit proved +its supremacy over matter. Jesus assumed for mortals the [30] + +[Page 64.] + +weakness of flesh, that Spirit might be found “All-in-all.” [1] +Hence, the human cry which voiced that struggle; +thence, the way he made for mortals’ escape. Our +Master bore the cross to show his power over death; +then relinquished his earth-task of teaching and dem- [5] +onstrating the nothingness of sickness, sin, and death, +and rose to his native estate, man’s indestructible eternal +life in God. + +_What can prospective students of the College take for_ +_preliminary studies? Do you regard the study of litera-_ [10] +_ture and languages as objectionable?_ + +Persons contemplating a course at the Massachusetts +Metaphysical College, can prepare for it through no +books except the Bible, and “Science and Health with +Key to the Scriptures.” Man-made theories are nar- [15] +row, else extravagant, and are always materialistic. +The ethics which guide thought spiritually must bene- +fit every one; for the only philosophy and religion that +afford instruction are those which deal with facts and +resist speculative opinions and fables. [20] + +Works on science are profitable; for science is not +human. It is spiritual, and not material. Literature +and languages, to a limited extent, are aids to a student +of the Bible and of Christian Science. + +_Is it possible to know why we are put into this condition_ [25] +_of mortality?_ + +It is quite as possible to know wherefore man is thus +conditioned, as to be certain that he _is_ in a state of +mortality. The only evidence of the existence of a mor- +tal man, or of a material state and universe, is gathered [30] + +[Page 65.] + +from the five personal senses. This delusive evidence, [1] +Science has dethroned by repeated proofs of its falsity. + +We have no more proof of human discord,—sin, +sickness, disease, or death,—than we have that the +earth’s surface is flat, and her motions imaginary. If [5] +man’s _ipse dixit_ as to the stellar system is correct, this +is because Science is true, and the evidence of the senses +is false. Then why not submit to the affirmations of +Science concerning the greater subject of human weal +and woe? Every question between Truth and error, [10] +Science must and will decide. Left to the decision of +Science, your query concerns a negative which the posi- +tive Truth destroys; for God’s universe and man are +immortal. We must not consider the false side of exist- +ence in order to gain the true solution of Life and its [15] +great realities. + +_Have you changed your instructions as to the right way_ +_of treating disease?_ + +I have not; and this important fact must be, and al- +ready is, apprehended by those who understand my in- [20] +structions on this question. Christian Science demands +both law and gospel, in order to demonstrate healing, +and I have taught them both in its demonstration, and +with signs following. They are a unit in restoring the +equipoise of mind and body, and balancing man’s ac- [25] +count with his Maker. The sequence proves that strict +adherence to one is inadequate to compensate for the +absence of the other, since both constitute the divine law +of healing. + +The Jewish religion demands that “whoso sheddeth [30] +man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” But this + +[Page 66.] + +law is not infallible in wisdom; and obedience thereto [1] +may be found faulty, since false testimony or mistaken +evidence may cause the innocent to suffer for the guilty. +Hence the gospel that fulfils the law in righteousness, +the genius whereof is displayed in the surprising wisdom [5] +of these words of the New Testament: “Whatsoever +a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” No possible +injustice lurks in this mandate, and no human mis- +judgment can pervert it; for the offender alone suffers, +and always according to divine decree. This sacred, [10] +solid precept is verified in all directions in Mind- +healing, and is supported in the Scripture by parallel +proof. + +The law and gospel of Truth and Love teach, through +divine Science, that sin is identical with suffering, and [15] +that suffering is the lighter affliction. To reach the sum- +mit of Science, whence to discern God’s perfect ways +and means, the material sense must be controlled by +the higher spiritual sense, and Truth be enthroned, +while “we look not at the things which are seen, but at [20] +the things which are not seen.” + +Cynical critics misjudge my meaning as to the sci- +entific treatment of the sick. Disease that is superin- +duced by sin is not healed like the more physical +ailment. The beginner in sin-healing must know this, or [25] +he never can reach the Science of Mind-healing, and +so “overcome evil with good.” Error in premise is met +with error in practice; yea, it is “the blind leading the +blind.” Ignorance of the cause of disease can neither +remove that cause nor its effect. [30] + +I endeavor to accommodate my instructions to the +present capability of the learner, and to support the + +[Page 67.] + +liberated thought until its altitude reaches beyond the [1] +mere alphabet of Mind-healing. Above physical wants, +lie the higher claims of the law and gospel of healing. +First is the law, which saith:— + +“Thou shalt not commit adultery;” in other words, [5] +thou shalt not adulterate Life, Truth, or Love,—men- +tally, morally, or physically. “Thou shalt not steal;” +that is, thou shalt not rob man of money, which is but +trash, compared with his rights of mind and character. +“Thou shalt not kill;” that is, thou shalt not strike at the [10] +eternal sense of Life with a malicious aim, but shalt +know that by doing thus thine own sense of Life shall be +forfeited. “Thou shalt not bear false witness;” that is, +thou shalt not utter a lie, either mentally or audibly, nor +cause it to be thought. Obedience to these command- [15] +ments is indispensable to health, happiness, and length +of days. + +The gospel of healing demonstrates the law of Love. +Justice uncovers sin of every sort; and mercy demands +that if you see the danger menacing others, you shall, [20] +_Deo volente_, inform them thereof. Only thus is the right +practice of Mind-healing achieved, and the wrong prac- +tice discerned, disarmed, and destroyed. + +_Do you believe in translation?_ + +If your question refers to language, whereby one ex- [25] +presses the sense of words in one language by equiva- +lent words in another, I do. If you refer to the removal +of a person to heaven, without his subjection to death, +I modify my affirmative answer. I believe in this +removal being possible after all the footsteps requisite [30] +have been taken up to the very throne, up to the + +[Page 68.] + +spiritual sense and fact of divine substance, intelligence, [1] +Life, and Love. This translation is not the work of mo- +ments; it requires both time and eternity. It means more +than mere disappearance to the human sense; it must +include also man’s changed appearance and diviner form [5] +visible to those beholding him here. + +_The Rev. —— said in a sermon: A true Christian_ +_would protest against metaphysical healing being called_ +_Christian Science. He also maintained that pain and_ +_disease are not illusions but realities; and that it is not_ [10] +_Christian to believe they are illusions. Is this so?_ + +It is unchristian to believe that pain and sickness are +anything _but_ illusions. My proof of this is, that the +penalty for believing in their reality is the very pain and +disease. Jesus cast out a devil, and the dumb spake; [15] +hence it is right to know that the works of Satan are the +illusion and error which Truth casts out. + +Does the gentleman above mentioned know the +meaning of divine metaphysics, or of metaphysical +theology? [20] + +According to Webster, metaphysics is defined thus: +“The science of the conceptions and relations which are +necessary to thought and knowledge; science of the +mind.” Worcester defines it as “the philosophy of mind, +as distinguished from that of matter; a science of which [25] +the object is to explain the principles and causes of +all things existing,” Brande calls metaphysics “the +science which regards the ultimate grounds of being, as +distinguished from its phenomenal modifications.” “A +speculative science, which soars beyond the bounds of [30] +experience,” is a further definition. + +[Page 69.] + +Divine metaphysics is that which treats of the exist- [1] +ence of God, His essence, relations, and attributes. A +sneer at metaphysics is a scoff at Deity; at His goodness, +mercy, and might. + +Christian Science is the unfolding of true metaphysics; [5] +that is, of Mind, or God, and His attributes. Science rests +on Principle and demonstration. The Principle of Chris- +tian Science is divine. Its rule is, that man shall utilize +the divine power. + +In Genesis i. 26, we read: “Let us make man in [10] +our image, after our likeness: and let them have +dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of +the air.” + +I was once called to visit a sick man to whom the +regular physicians had given three doses of Croton [15] +oil, and then had left him to die. Upon my arrival I +found him barely alive, and in terrible agony. In one +hour he was well, and the next day he attended to his +business. I removed the stoppage, healed him of en- +teritis, and neutralized the bad effects of the poison- [20] +ous oil. His physicians had failed even to move his +bowels,—though the wonder was, with the means +used in their effort to accomplish this result, that +they had not quite killed him. According to their +diagnosis, the exciting cause of the inflammation and [25] +stoppage was—eating smoked herring. The man is +living yet; and I will send his address to any one +who may wish to apply to him for information about +his case. + +Now comes the question: Had that sick man dominion [30] +over the fish in his stomach? + +His want of control over “the fish of the sea” must + +[Page 70.] + +have been an illusion, or else the Scriptures misstate [1] +man’s power. That the Bible is true I believe, not +only, but I _demonstrated_ its truth when I exercised +my power over the fish, cast out the sick man’s illu- +sion, and healed him. Thus it was shown that the [5] +healing action of Mind upon the body has its only ex- +planation in divine metaphysics. As a man “thinketh +in his heart, so is he.” When the mortal thought, or be- +lief, was removed, the man was well. + +_What did Jesus mean when he said to the dying thief,_ [10] +_“__To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise__”__?_ + +Paradisaical rest from physical agony would come to +the criminal, if the dream of dying should startle him +from the dream of suffering. The paradise of Spirit +would come to Jesus, in a spiritual sense of Life and [15] +power. Christ Jesus lived and reappeared. He was too +good to die; for goodness is immortal. The thief was +not equal to the demands of the hour; but sin was de- +stroying itself, and had already begun to die,—as +the poor thief’s prayer for help indicated. The dy- [20] +ing malefactor and our Lord were inevitably sepa- +rated through Mind. The thief’s body, as matter, +must dissolve into its native nothingness; whereas the +body of the holy Spirit of Jesus was eternal. That +day the thief would be with Jesus only in a finite [25] +and material sense of relief; while our Lord would +soon be rising to the supremacy of Spirit, working +out, even in the silent tomb, those wonderful demon- +strations of divine power, in which none could equal his +glory. [30] + +[Page 71.] + +_Is it right for me to treat others, when I am not entirely_ [1] +_well myself?_ + +The late John B. Gough is said to have suffered from +an appetite for alcoholic drink until his death; yet he +saved many a drunkard from this fatal appetite. Paul [5] +had a thorn in the flesh: one writer thinks that he was +troubled with rheumatism, and another that he had sore +eyes; but this is certain, that he healed others who were +sick. It is unquestionably right to do right; and heal- +ing the sick is a very right thing to do. [10] + +_Does Christian Science set aside the law of transmission,_ +_prenatal desires, and good or bad influences on the unborn_ +_child?_ + +Science never averts law, but supports it. All actual +causation must interpret omnipotence, the all-knowing [15] +Mind. Law brings out Truth, not error; unfolds divine +Principle,—but neither human hypothesis nor matter. +Errors are based on a mortal or material formation; they +are suppositional modes, not the factors of divine presence +and power. [20] + +Whatever is humanly conceived is a departure from +divine law; hence its mythical origin and certain end. +According to the Scriptures,—St. Paul declares astutely, +“For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all +things,”—man is incapable of originating; nothing can [25] +be formed apart from God, good, the all-knowing Mind. +What seems to be of human origin is the counterfeit +of the divine,—even human concepts, mortal shadows +flitting across the dial of time. + +Whatever is real is right and eternal; hence the im- [30] +mutable and just law of Science, that God is good only, + +[Page 72.] + +and can transmit to man and the universe nothing evil, [1] +or unlike Himself. For the innocent babe to be born a +lifelong sufferer because of his parents’ mistakes or sins, +were sore injustice. Science sets aside man as a creator, +and unfolds the eternal harmonies of the only living and [5] +true origin, God. + +According to the beliefs of the flesh, both good and +bad traits of the parents are transmitted to their help- +less offspring, and God is supposed to impart to man +this fatal power. It is cause for rejoicing that this belief [10] +is as false as it is remorseless. The immutable Word +saith, through the prophet Ezekiel, “What mean ye, that +ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, +The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s +teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord God, [15] +ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb +in Israel.” + +_Are material things real when they are harmonious, and_ +_do they disappear only to the natural sense? Does this_ +_Scripture, __“__Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have_ [20] +_need of all these things__”__ imply that Spirit takes note of_ +_matter?_ + +The Science of Mind, as well as the material unii +verse, shows that nothing which is material is in +perpetual harmony. Matter is manifest mortal mind, [35] +and it exists only to material sense. Real sensation +is not material; it is, and must be, mental: and Mind +is not mortal, it is immortal. Being is God, infinite +Spirit; therefore it cannot cognize aught material, or +outside of infinity. [30] + +The Scriptural passage quoted affords no evidence of + +[Page 73.] + +the reality of matter, or that God is conscious of it. [1] +The so-called material body is said to suffer, but this +supposition is proven erroneous when Mind casts out +the suffering. The Scripture saith, “Whom the Lord +loveth He chasteneth;” and again, “He doth not [5] +afflict willingly.” Interpreted materially, these pas- +sages conflict; they mingle the testimony of immor- +tal Science with mortal sense; but once discern their +spiritual meaning, and it separates the false sense from +the true, and establishes the reality of what is spiritual, [10] +and the unreality of materiality. + +Law is never material: it is always mental and moral, +and a commandment to the wise. The foolish disobey +moral law, and are punished. Human wisdom therefore +can get no farther than to say, He knoweth that we have [15] +need of experience. Belief fulfils the conditions of a be- +lief, and these conditions destroy the belief. Hence the +verdict of experience: We have need of _these_ things; we +have need to know that the so-called pleasures and pains +of matter—yea, that all subjective states of false sensa- [20] +tion—are _unreal_. + +_“__And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you,_ +_That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when_ +_the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory,_ +_ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the_ [25] +_twelve tribes of Israel.__”_ (Matt. xix. 28.) _What is meant_ +_by regeneration?_ + +It is the appearing of divine law to human under- +standing; the spiritualization that comes from spiritual +sense in contradistinction to the testimony of the so- [30] +called material senses. The phenomena of Spirit in + +[Page 74.] + +Christian Science, and the divine correspondence of [1] +noumenon and phenomenon understood, are here signi- +fied. This new-born sense subdues not only the false +sense of generation, but the human will, and the un- +natural enmity of mortal man toward God. It quickly [5] +imparts a new apprehension of the true basis of being, +and the spiritual foundation for the affections which en- +throne the Son of man in the glory of his Father; and +judges, through the stern mandate of Science, all human +systems of etiology and teleology. [10] + +_If God does not recognize matter, how did Jesus, who was_ +_“__the way, the truth, and the life,__”__ cognize it?_ + +Christ Jesus’ sense of matter was the opposite of that +which mortals entertain: his nativity was a spiritual and +immortal sense of the ideal world. His earthly mission [15] +was to translate substance into its original meaning, +Mind. He walked upon the waves; he turned the water +into wine; he healed the sick and the sinner; he raised +the dead, and rolled away the stone from the door of his +own tomb. His demonstration of Spirit virtually van- [20] +quished matter and its supposed laws. Walking the +wave, he proved the fallacy of the theory that matter is +substance; healing through Mind, he removed any sup- +position that matter is intelligent, or can recognize or +express pain and pleasure. His triumph over the grave [25] +was an everlasting victory for Life; it demonstrated the +lifelessness of matter, and the power and permanence +of Spirit. He met and conquered the resistance of the +world. + +If you will admit, with me, that matter is neither [30] +substance, intelligence, nor Life, you may have all that + +[Page 75.] + +is left of it; and you will have touched the hem of the [1] +garment of Jesus’ idea of matter, Christ was “the way;” +since Life and Truth were the way that gave us, through +a human person, a spiritual revelation of man’s possible +earthly development. [5] + +_Why do you insist that there is but one Soul, and that_ +_Soul is not in the body?_ + +_First:_ I urge this fundamental fact and grand verity +of Christian Science, because it includes a rule that must +be understood, or it is impossible to demonstrate the Sci- [10] +ence. Soul is a synonym of Spirit, and God is Spirit. +There is but one God, and the infinite is not within the +finite; hence Soul is one, and is God; and God is not in +matter or the mortal body. + +_Second:_ Because Soul is a term for Deity, and this [15] +term should seldom be employed except where the word +_God_ can be used and make complete sense. The word +_Soul_ may sometimes be used metaphorically; but if this +term is warped to signify human quality, a substitution +of _sense_ for _soul_ clears the meaning, and assists one to [20] +understand Christian Science. Mary’s exclamation, +“"My _soul_ doth magnify the Lord,” is rendered in Sci- +ence, “My _spiritual sense_ doth magnify the Lord;” +for the name of Deity used in that place does not bring +out the meaning of the passage. It was evidently an [25] +illuminated sense through which she discovered the +spiritual origin of man. “The soul that sinneth, it shall +die,” means, that mortal man (_alias_ material sense) that +sinneth, shall die; and the commonly accepted view is +that _soul_ is deathless. Soul is the divine Mind,—for [30] +Soul cannot be formed or brought forth by human + +[Page 76.] + +thought,—and must proceed from God; hence it must [1] +be sinless, and destitute of self-created or derived capacity +to sin. + +_Third:_ Jesus said, “If a man keep my saying, he +shall never see death.” This statement of our Master [5] +is true, and remains to be demonstrated; for it is the +ultimatum of Christian Science; but this immortal saying +can never be tested or proven true upon a false premise, +such as the mortal belief that soul is in body, and life +and intelligence are in matter. That doctrine is not [10] +theism, but pantheism. According to human belief the +bodies of mortals are mortal, but they contain immortal +souls! hence these bodies must die for these souls to +escape and be immortal. The theory that death must +occur, to set a human soul free from its environments, [15] +is rendered void by Jesus’ divine declaration, who spake +as never man spake,—and no man can rationally reject +his authority on this subject and accept it on other topics +less important. + +Now, exchange the term _soul_ for _sense_ whenever this [20] +word means the so-called soul in the body, and you will +find the right meaning indicated. The misnamed human +soul is material sense, which sinneth and shall die; for +it is an error or false sense of mentality in matter, and +matter has no sense. You will admit that Soul is the [25] +Life of man. Now if Soul sinned, it would die; for “the +wages of sin is death.” The Scripture saith, “When +Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also +appear with him in glory.” The Science of Soul, Spirit, +involves this appearing, and is essential to the fulfilment [30] +of this glorious prophecy of the master Metaphysician, +who overcame the last enemy, death. + +[Page 77.] + +_Did the salvation of the eunuch depend merely on his_ [1] +_believing that Jesus Christ was the Son of God?_ + +It did; but this believing was more than faith in the +fact that Jesus was the Messiah. Here the verb _believe_ +took its original meaning, namely, to be _firm_,—yea, to [5] +_understand_ those great truths asserted of the Messiah: +it meant to discern and consent to that infinite demand +made upon the eunuch in those few words of the apostle. +Philip’s requirement was, that he should not only ac- +knowledge the incarnation,—God made manifest through [10] +man,—but even the eternal unity of man and God, as +the divine Principle and spiritual idea; which is the in- +dissoluble bond of union, the power and presence, in +divine Science, of Life, Truth, and Love, to support their +ideal man. This is the Father’s great Love that He [15] +hath bestowed upon us, and it holds man in endless +Life and one eternal round of harmonious being. It +guides him by Truth that knows no error, and with +supersensual, impartial, and unquenchable Love. To +_believe_ is to _be firm_. In adopting all this vast idea of [20] +Christ Jesus, the eunuch was to _know_ in whom he be- +lieved. To _believe_ thus was to enter the spiritual sanctuary +of Truth, and there learn, in divine Science, somewhat +of the All-Father-Mother God. It was to understand +God and man: it was sternly to rebuke the mortal [25] +belief that man has fallen away from his first estate; that +man, made in God’s own likeness, and reflecting Truth, +could fall into mortal error; or, that man is the father +of man. It was to enter unshod the Holy of Holies, where +the miracle of grace appears, and where the miracles of [30] +Jesus had their birth,—healing the sick, casting out +evils, and resurrecting the human _sense_ to the belief + +[Page 78.] + +that Life, God, is not buried in matter. This is the spirit- [1] +ual dawn of the Messiah, and the overture of the +angels. This is when God is made manifest in the +flesh, and thus it destroys all sense of sin, sickness, and +death,—when the brightness of His glory encompasseth [5] +all being. + +_Can Christian Science Mind-healing be taught to those_ +_who are absent?_ + +The Science of Mind-healing can no more be taught +thus, than can science in any other direction. I know [10] +not how to teach either Euclid or the Science of Mind +silently; and never dreamed that either of these partook +of the nature of occultism, magic, alchemy, or necro- +mancy. These “ways that are vain” are the inventions +of animal magnetism, which would deceive, if possible, [15] +the very elect. We will charitably hope, however, that +some people employ the _et cetera_ of ignorance and self- +conceit unconsciously, in their witless ventilation of false +statements and claims. Misguiding the public mind and +taking its money in exchange for this abuse, has become [20] +too common: we will hope it is the froth of error passing +off; and that Christian Science will some time appear all +the clearer for the purification of the public thought con- +cerning it. + +_Has man fallen from a state of perfection?_ [25] + +If God is the Principle of man (and He is), man is the +idea of God; and this idea cannot fail to express the ex- +act nature of its Principle,—any more than goodness, +to present the quality of good. Human hypotheses are +always human vagaries, formulated views antagonistic [30] + +[Page 79.] + +to the divine order and the nature of Deity. All these [1] +mortal beliefs will be purged and dissolved in the cru- +cible of Truth, and the places once knowing them will +know them no more forever, having been swept clean +by the winds of history. The grand verities of Science [5] +will sift the chaff from the wheat, until it is clear to hu- +man comprehension that man was, and is, God’s perfect +likeness, that reflects all whereby we can know God. In +Him we live, move, and have being. Man’s origin and +existence being in Him, man is the ultimatum of per- [10] +fection, and by no means the medium of imperfection. +Immortal man is the eternal idea of Truth, that cannot +lapse into a mortal belief or error concerning himself +and his origin: he cannot get out of the focal distance of +infinity. If God is upright and eternal, man as His like- [15] +ness is erect in goodness and perpetual in Life, Truth, +and Love. If the great cause is perfect, its effect is per- +fect also; and cause and effect in Science are immutable +and immortal. A mortal who is sinning, sick, and dying, +is not immortal man; and never was, and never can be, [20] +God’s image and likeness, the true ideal of immortal +man’s divine Principle. The spiritual man is that per- +fect and unfallen likeness, coexistent and coeternal with +God. “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be +made alive.” [25] + +_What course should Christian Scientists take in regard_ +_to aiding persons brought before the courts for violation of_ +_medical statutes?_ + +Beware of joining any medical league which in any +way obligates you to assist—because they chance to be [30] +under arrest—vendors of patent pills, mesmerists, + +[Page 80.] + +occultists, sellers of impure literature, and authors of [1] +spurious works on mental healing. By rendering error +such a service, you lose much more than can be gained +by mere unity on the single issue of opposition to unjust +medical laws. [5] + +A league which obligates its members to give money +and influence in support and defense of medical char- +latans in general, and possibly to aid individual rights +in a wrong direction—which Christian Science eschews +—should be avoided. Anybody and everybody, who [10] +will fight the medical faculty, can join this league. It is +better to be friendly with cultured and conscientious +medical men, who leave Christian Science to rise or fall +on its own merit or demerit, than to affiliate with a wrong +class of people. [15] + +Unconstitutional and unjust coercive legislation and +laws, infringing individual rights, must be “of few days, +and full of trouble.” The _vox populi_, through the provi- +dence of God, promotes and impels all true reform; and, +at the best time, will redress wrongs and rectify injus- [20] +tice. Tyranny can thrive but feebly under our Govern- +ment. God reigns, and will “turn and overturn” until +right is found supreme. + +In a certain sense, we should commiserate the lot of +regular doctors, who, in successive generations for cen- [25] +turies, have planted and sown and reaped in the fields +of what they deem pathology, hygiene, and therapeutics, +but are now elbowed by a new school of practitioners, +outdoing the healing of the old. The old will not patronize +the new school, at least not until it shall come to understand [30] +the medical system of the new. + +Christian Science Mind-healing rests demonstrably on + +[Page 81.] + +the broad and sure foundation of Science; and this is [1] +not the basis of _materia medica_, as some of the most skil- +ful and scholarly physicians openly admit. + +To prevent all unpleasant and unchristian action—as +we drift, by right of God’s dear love, into more spiritual [5] +lines of life—let each society of practitioners, the matter- +physicians and the metaphysicians, agree to disagree, and +then patiently wait on God to decide, as surely He will, +which is the true system of medicine. + +_Do we not see in the commonly accepted teachings of the_ [10] +_day, the Christ-idea mingled with the teachings of John_ +_the Baptist? or, rather, Are not the last eighteen centuries_ +_but the footsteps of Truth being baptized of John, and com-_ +_ing up straightway out of the ceremonial (or ritualistic)_ +_waters to receive the benediction of an honored Father, and_ [15] +_afterwards to go up into the wilderness, in order to over-_ +_come mortal sense, before it shall go forth into all the cities_ +_and towns of Judea, or see many of the people from beyond_ +_Jordan? Now, if all this be a fair or correct view of this_ +_question, why does not John hear this voice, or see the_ [20] +_dove,—or has not Truth yet reached the shore?_ + +Every individual character, like the individual John +the Baptist, at some date must cry in the desert of +earthly joy; and his voice be heard divinely and +humanly. In the desolation of human understanding, [25] +divine Love hears and answers the human call for help; +and the voice of Truth utters the divine verities of being +which deliver mortals out of the depths of ignorance +and vice. This _is_ the Father’s benediction. It gives +lessons to human life, guides the understanding, peoples [30] + +[Page 82.] + +the mind with spiritual ideas, reconstructs the Judean [1] +religion, and reveals God and man as the Principle and +idea of all good. + +Understanding this fact in Christian Science, brings +the peace symbolized by a dove; and this peace floweth [5] +as a river into a shoreless eternity. He who knew the +foretelling Truth, beheld the forthcoming Truth, as it +came up out of the baptism of Spirit, to enlighten and +redeem mortals. Such Christians as John cognize the +symbols of God, reach the sure foundations of time, stand [10] +upon the shore of eternity, and grasp and gather—in all +glory—what eye hath not seen. + +_Is there infinite progression with man after the destruc-_ +_tion of mortal mind?_ + +Man is the offspring and idea of the Supreme Being, [15] +whose law is perfect and infinite. In obedience to this +law, man is forever unfolding the endless beatitudes of +Being; for he is the image and likeness of infinite Life, +Truth, and Love. + +Infinite progression is concrete being, which finite [20] +mortals see and comprehend only as abstract glory. As +mortal mind, or the material sense of life, is put off, +the spiritual sense and Science of being is brought to +light. + +Mortal mind is a myth; the one Mind is immortal. [25] +A mythical or mortal sense of existence is consumed +as a moth, in the treacherous glare of its own flame— +the errors which devour it. Immortal Mind is God, +immortal good; in whom the Scripture saith “we live, +and move, and have our being.” This Mind, then, is not [30] +subject to growth, change, or diminution, but is the divine + +[Page 83.] + +intelligence, or Principle, of all real being; holding [1] +man forever in the rhythmic round of unfolding bliss, +as a living witness to and perpetual idea of inexhaustible +good. + +_In your book, Science and Health,_(_3_)_ page 181, you_ [5] +_say: __“__Every sin is the author of itself, and every_ +_invalid the cause of his own sufferings.__”__ On page_ +_182 you say: __“__Sickness is a growth of illusion, spring-_ +_ing from a seed of thought,—either your own thought_ +_or another’s.__”__ Will you please explain this seeming_ [10] +_contradiction?_ + +No person can accept another’s belief, except it be +with the consent of his own belief. If the error which +knocks at the door of your own thought originated in +another’s mind, you are a free moral agent to reject or [15] +to accept this error; hence, you are the arbiter of your +own fate, and sin is the author of sin. In the words +of our Master, you are “a liar, and the father of it +[the lie].” + +_Why did Jesus call himself __“__the Son of man__”__?_ [20] + +In the life of our Lord, meekness was as conspicuous +as might. In John xvii. he declared his sonship with +God: “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his +eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; +glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee.” [25] +The hour had come for the avowal of this great truth, +and for the proof of his eternal Life and sonship. Jesus’ + +[Page 84.] + +wisdom ofttimes was shown by his forbearing to speak, [1] +as well as by speaking, the whole truth. Haply he waited +for a preparation of the human heart to receive start- +ling announcements. This wisdom, which character- +ized his sayings, did not prophesy his death, and thereby [5] +hasten or permit it. + +The disciples and prophets thrust disputed points on +minds unprepared for them. This cost them their lives, +and the world’s temporary esteem; but the prophecies +were fulfilled, and their motives were rewarded by [10] +growth and more spiritual understanding, which dawns +by degrees on mortals. The spiritual Christ was infal- +lible; Jesus, as material manhood, was not Christ. The +“man of sorrows” knew that the man of joys, his spiritual +self, or Christ, was the Son of God; and that the mor- [15] +tal mind, not the immortal Mind, suffered. The human +manifestation of the Son of God was called the Son of +man, or Mary’s son. + +_Please explain Paul’s meaning in the text, __“__For to me_ +_to live is Christ, and to die is gain.__”_ [20] + +The Science of Life, overshadowing Paul’s sense of +life in matter, so far extinguished the latter as forever +to quench his love for it. The discipline of the flesh is +designed to turn one, like a weary traveller, to the home +of Love. To lose error thus, is to live in Christ, Truth. [25] +A true sense of the falsity of material joys and sorrows, +pleasures and pains, takes them away, and teaches Life’s +lessons aright. The transition from our lower sense of +Life to a new and higher sense thereof, even though it be +through the door named death, yields a clearer and [30] +nearer sense of Life to those who have utilized the present, + +[Page 85.] + +and are ripe for the harvest-home. To the battle- [1] +worn and weary Christian hero, Life eternal brings +blessings. + +_Is a Christian Scientist ever sick, and has he who is_ +_sick been regenerated?_ [5] + +The Christian Scientist learns spiritually all that he +knows of Life, and demonstrates what he understands. +God is recognized as the divine Principle of his being, +and of every thought and act leading to good. His pur- +pose must be right, though his power is temporarily lim- [10] +ited. Perfection, the goal of existence, is not won in a +moment; and regeneration leading thereto is gradual, +for it culminates in the fulfilment of this divine rule in +Science: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father +which is in heaven is perfect.” [15] + +The last degree of regeneration rises into the rest of +perpetual, spiritual, individual existence. The first +feeble fluttering of mortals Christward are infantile +and more or less imperfect. The new-born Christian +Scientist must mature, and work out his own salvation. [20] +Spirit and flesh antagonize. Temptation, that mist of +mortal mind which seems to be matter and the environ- +ment of mortals, suggests pleasure and pain in matter; +and, so long as this temptation lasts, the warfare is not +ended and the mortal is not regenerated. The pleas- [25] +ures—more than the pains—of sense, retard regenera- +tion; for pain compels human consciousness to escape +from sense into the immortality and harmony of Soul. +Disease in error, more than ease in it, tends to destroy +error: the sick often are thereby led to Christ, Truth, [30] +and to learn their way out of both sickness and sin. + +[Page 86.] + +The material and physical are imperfect. The in- [1] +dividual and spiritual are perfect; these have no fleshly +nature. This final degree of regeneration is saving, and +the Christian will, must, attain it; but it doth not yet +appear. Until this be attained, the Christian Scientist [5] +must continue to strive with sickness, sin, and death— +though in lessening degrees—and manifest growth at +every experience. + +_Is it correct to say of material objects, that they are noth-_ +_ing and exist only in imagination?_ [10] + +_Nothing_ and _something_ are words which need correct +definition. They either mean formations of indefinite +and vague human opinions, or scientific classifications +of the unreal and the real. My sense of the beauty of +the universe is, that beauty typifies holiness, and is some- [15] +thing to be desired. Earth is more spiritually beautiful +to my gaze now than when it was more earthly to the +eyes of Eve. The pleasant sensations of human belief, +of form and color, must be spiritualized, until we gain the +glorified sense of substance as in the new heaven and [20] +earth, the harmony of body and Mind. + +Even the human conception of beauty, grandeur, and +utility is something that defies a sneer. It is more than +imagination. It is next to divine beauty and the gran- +deur of Spirit. It lives with our earth-life, and is [25] +the subjective state of high thoughts. The atmos- +phere of mortal mind constitutes our mortal envi- +ronment. What mortals hear, see, feel, taste, smell, +constitutes their present earth and heaven: but we must +grow out of even this pleasing thraldom, and find wings [30] +to reach the glory of supersensible Life; then we shall + +[Page 87.] + +soar above, as the bird in the clear ether of the blue tem- [1] +poral sky. + +To take all earth’s beauty into one gulp of vacuity +and label beauty nothing, is ignorantly to caricature +God’s creation, which is unjust to human sense and [5] +to the divine realism. In our immature sense of spirit- +ual things, let us say of the beauties of the sensuous +universe: “I love your promise; and shall know, some +time, the spiritual reality and substance of form, light, +and color, of what I now through you discern dimly; and [10] +knowing this, I shall be satisfied. Matter is a frail con- +ception of mortal mind; and mortal mind is a poorer +representative of the beauty, grandeur, and glory of the +immortal Mind.” + +_Please inform us through your Journal; if you sent_ [15] +_Mrs. —— to ——. She said that you sent her there to look_ +_after the students; and also, that no one there was working_ +_in Science,—which is certainly a mistake._ + +I never commission any one to teach students of mine. +After class teaching, he does best in the investigation of [20] +Christian Science who is most reliant on himself and +God. My students are taught the divine Principle and +rules of the Science of Mind-healing. What they need +thereafter is to study thoroughly the Scriptures and +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” To [25] +watch and pray, to be honest, earnest, loving, and truth- +ful, is indispensable to the demonstration of the truth +they have been taught. + +If they are haunted by obsequious helpers, who, un- +called for, imagine they can help anybody and steady [30] +God’s altar—this interference prolongs the struggle + +[Page 88.] + +and tends to blight the fruits of my students. A faith- [1] +ful student may even sometimes feel the need of +physical help, and occasionally receive it from others; +but the less this is required, the better it is for that +student. [5] + +_Please give us, through your Journal, the name of_ +_the author of that genuine critique in the September_ +_number, __“__What Quibus Thinks.__”_ + +I am pleased to inform this inquirer, that the author +of the article in question is a Boston gentleman whose [10] +thought is appreciated by many liberals. Patience, ob- +servation, intellectual culture, reading, writing, exten- +sive travel, and twenty years in the pulpit, have equipped +him as a critic who knows whereof he speaks. His allu- +sion to Christian Science in the following paragraph, [15] +glows in the shadow of darkling criticism like a mid- +night sun. Its manly honesty follows like a benediction +after prayer, and closes the task of talking to deaf ears +and dull debaters. + +“We have always insisted that this Science is natural, [20] +spiritually natural; that Jesus was the highest type of +real nature; that Christian healing is supernatural, or +extra-natural, only to those who do not enter into its +sublimity or understand its modes—as imported ice +was miraculous to the equatorial African, who had never [25] +seen water freeze.” + +_Is it right for a Scientist to treat with a doctor?_ + +This depends upon what kind of a doctor it is. Mind- +healing, and healing with drugs, are opposite modes of +medicine. As a rule, drop one of these doctors when you [30] + +[Page 89.] + +employ the other. The Scripture saith, “No man can [1] +serve two masters;” and, “Every kingdom divided +against itself is brought to desolation.” + +_If Scientists are called upon to care for a member of_ +_the family, or a friend in sickness, who is employing a_ [5] +_regular physician, would it be right to treat this patient_ +_at all; and ought the patient to follow the doctor’s_ +_directions?_ + +When patients are under material medical treatment, +it is advisable in most cases that Scientists do not treat [10] +them, or interfere with _materia medica_. If the patient +is in peril, and you save him or alleviate his sufferings, +although the medical attendant and friends have no +faith in your method, it is humane, and not unchristian, +to do him all the good you can; but your good will gen- [15] +erally “be evil spoken of.” The hazard of casting “pearls +before swine” caused our Master to refuse help to some +who sought his aid; and he left this precaution for +others. + +_If mortal man is unreal, how can he be saved, and why_ [20] +_does he need to be saved? I ask for information, not for_ +_controversy, for I am a seeker after Truth._ + +You will find the proper answer to this question in +my published works. Man is immortal. Mortal man +is a false concept that is not spared or prolonged by being [25] +saved from itself, from whatever is false. This salva- +tion means: saved from error, or error overcome. Im- +mortal man, in God’s likeness, is safe in divine Science. +Mortal man is saved on this divine Principle, if he will +only avail himself of the efficacy of Truth, and recog- [30] + +[Page 90.] + +nize his Saviour. He must know that God is omnipo- [1] +tent; hence, that sin is impotent. He must know that +the power of sin is the pleasure in sin. Take away this +pleasure, and you remove all reality from its power. Jesus +demonstrated sin and death to be powerless. This [5] +practical Truth saves from sin, and will save all who +understand it. + +_Is it wrong for a wife to have a husband treated for_ +_sin, when she knows he is sinning, or for drinking and_ +_smoking?_ [10] + +It is always right to act rightly; but sometimes, under +circumstances exceptional, it is inexpedient to attack +evil. This rule is forever golden: “As ye would that +men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Do you +desire to be freed from sin? Then help others to be free; [15] +but in your measures, obey the Scriptures, “Be ye wise +as serpents.” Break the yoke of bondage in every wise +way. First, be sure that your means for doing good +are equal to your motives; then judge them by their +fruits. [20] + +_If not ordained, shall the pastor of the Church of_ +_Christ, Scientist, administer the communion,—and_ +_shall members of a church not organized receive the_ +_communion?_ + +Our great Master administered to his disciples the [25] +Passover, or last supper, without this prerogative being +conferred by a visible organization and ordained priest- +hood. His spiritually prepared breakfast, after his +resurrection, and after his disciples had left their nets +to follow him, is the spiritual communion which Chris- [30] + +[Page 91.] + +tian Scientists celebrate in commemoration of the Christ. [1] +This ordinance is significant as a type of the true worship, +and it should be observed at present in our churches. + +It is not indispensable to organize materially Christ’s +church. It is not absolutely necessary to ordain pas- [5] +tors and to dedicate churches; but if this be done, +let it be in concession to the period, and not as a per- +petual or indispensable ceremonial of the church. If +our church is organized, it is to meet the demand, +“Suffer it to be so now.” The real Christian compact [10] +is love for one another. This bond is wholly spiritual +and inviolate. + +It is imperative, at all times and under every cir- +cumstance, to perpetuate no ceremonials except as +types of these mental conditions,—remembrance and [15] +love; a real affection for Jesus’ character and example. +Be it remembered, that all types employed in the ser- +vice of Christian Science should represent the most spir- +itual forms of thought and worship that can be made +visible. [20] + +_Should not the teacher of Christian Science have our_ +_textbook, __“__Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,__”_ +_in his schoolroom and teach from it?_ + +I never dreamed, until informed thereof, that a loyal +student did not take his textbook with him into the class- [25] +room, ask questions from it, answer them according to +it, and, as occasion required, read from the book as au- +thority for what he taught. I supposed that students +had followed my example, and that of other teachers, +sufficiently to do this, and also to require their pupils to [30] +study the lessons before recitations. + +[Page 92.] + +To omit these important points is anomalous, con- [1] +sidering the necessity for understanding Science, and +the present liability of deviating from Christian Science. +Centuries will intervene before the statement of the inex- +haustible topics of that book become sufficiently under- [5] +stood to be absolutely demonstrated. The teacher of +Christian Science needs continually to study this textbook. +His work is to replenish thought, and to spiritualize human +life, from this open fount of Truth and Love. + +He who sees most clearly and enlightens other minds [10] +most readily, keeps his own lamp trimmed and burning. +He will take the textbook of Christian Science into his +class, repeat the questions in the chapter on Recapitula- +tion, and his students will answer them from the same +source. Throughout his entire explanations, the teacher [15] +should strictly adhere to the questions and answers con- +tained in that chapter of “Science and Health with Key +to the Scriptures.” It is important to point out the +lesson to the class, and to require the students thor- +oughly to study it before the recitations; for this spirit- [20] +ualizes their thoughts. When closing his class, the +teacher should require each member to own a copy of +the above-named book and to continue the study of this +textbook. + +The opinions of men cannot be substituted for God’s [25] +revelation. It must not be forgotten that in times past, +arrogant ignorance and pride, in attempting to steady +the ark of Truth, have dimmed the power and glory of +the Scriptures, to which this Christian Science textbook +is the Key. [30] + +That teacher does most for his students who most +divests himself of pride and self, spiritualizes his own + +[Page 93.] + +thought, and by reason thereof is able to empty his stu- [1] +dents’ minds, that they may be filled with Truth. + +Beloved students, _so_ teach that posterity shall call +you blessed, and the heart of history shall be made +glad! [5] + +_Can fear or sin bring back old beliefs of disease that have_ +_been healed by Christian Science?_ + +The Scriptures plainly declare the allness and oneness +of God to be the premises of Truth, and that God is +good: in Him dwelleth no evil. Christian Science au- [10] +thorizes the logical conclusion drawn from the Scriptures, +that there is in reality none besides the eternal, infinite +God, good. Evil is temporal: it is the illusion of time +and mortality. + +This being true, sin has no power; and fear, its coeval, [15] +is without divine authority. Science sanctions only what +is supported by the unerring Principle of being. Sin can +do nothing: all cause and effect are in God. Fear is a +belief of sensation in matter: this belief is neither main- +tained by Science nor supported by facts, and exists only [20] +as fable. Your answer is, that neither fear nor sin can +bring on disease or bring back disease, since there is in +reality no disease. + +Bear in mind, however, that human consciousness does +not test sin and the fact of its nothingness, by believing [25] +that sin is pardoned without repentance and reforma- +tion. Sin punishes itself, because it cannot go unpun- +ished either here or hereafter. Nothing is more fatal than +to indulge a sinning sense or consciousness for even one +moment. Knowing this, obey Christ’s Sermon on the [30] +Mount, even if you suffer for it in the first instance,— + +[Page 94.] + +are misjudged and maligned; in the second, you will [1] +reign with him. + +I never knew a person who knowingly indulged evil, +to be grateful; to understand me, or himself. He must +first see himself and the hallucination of sin; then he [5] +must repent, and love good in order to understand God. +The sinner and the sin are the twain that are one flesh,— +but which God hath not joined together. + + + + + +CHAPTER IV. ADDRESSES. + + +[Page 95.] + + + + +Christian Science In Tremont Temple. + + +From the platform of the Monday lectureship in [2] +Tremont Temple, on Monday, March 16, 1885, as +will be seen by what follows. Reverend Mary Baker G. +Eddy was presented to Mr. Cook’s audience, and allowed [5] +ten minutes in which to reply to his public letter con- +demning her doctrines; which reply was taken in full by +a shorthand reporter who was present, and is transcribed +below. + +Mrs. Eddy responding, said:— [10] + +As the time so kindly allotted me is insufficient for +even a synopsis of Christian Science, I shall confine my- +self to questions and answers. + +Am I a spiritualist? + +I am not, and never was. I understand the impossi- [15] +bility of intercommunion between the so-called dead and +living. There have always attended my life phenomena +of an uncommon order, which spiritualists have mis- +called mediumship; but I clearly understand that no +human agencies were employed,—that the divine Mind [20] +reveals itself to humanity through spiritual law. And +to such as are “waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption +of our body,” Christian Science reveals the in- + +[Page 96.] + +finitude of divinity and the way of man’s salvation from [1] +sickness and death, as wrought out by Jesus, who robbed +the grave of victory and death of its sting. I understand +that God is an ever-present help in all times of trouble,— +have found Him so; and would have no other gods, no [5] +remedies in drugs, no material medicine. + +Do I believe in a personal God? + +I believe in God as the Supreme Being. I know not +what the person of omnipotence and omnipresence is, +or what the infinite includes; therefore, I worship that [10] +of which I can conceive, first, as a loving Father and +Mother; then, as thought ascends the scale of being to +diviner consciousness, God becomes to me, as to the +apostle who declared it, “God is Love,”—divine Prin- +ciple,—which I worship; and “after the manner of my [15] +fathers, so worship I God.” + +Do I believe in the atonement of Christ? + +I do; and this atonement becomes more to me since +it includes man’s redemption from sickness as well as +from sin. I reverence and adore Christ as never before. [20] + +It brings to my sense, and to the sense of all who enter- +tain this understanding of the Science of God, a _whole_ +salvation. + +How is the healing done in Christian Science? + +This answer includes too much to give you any con- [25] +clusive idea in a brief explanation. I can name some +means by which it is not done. + +It is not one mind acting upon another mind; it is +not the transference of human images of thought to +other minds; it is not supported by the evidence before [30] +the personal senses,—Science contradicts this evidence; +it is not of the flesh, but of the Spirit. It is Christ come + +[Page 97.] + +to destroy the power of the flesh; it is Truth over error; [1] +that understood, gives man ability to rise above the evi- +dence of the senses, take hold of the eternal energies of +Truth, and destroy mortal discord with immortal har- +mony,—the grand verities of being. It is not one mortal [5] +thought transmitted to another’s thought from the human +mind that holds within itself all evil. + +Our Master said of one of his students, “He is a devil,” +and repudiated the idea of casting out devils through +Beelzebub. Erring human mind is by no means a de- [10] +sirable or efficacious healer. Such suppositional healing +I deprecate. It is in no way allied to divine power. All +human control is animal magnetism, more despicable +than all other methods of treating disease. + +Christian Science is not a remedy of faith alone, but [15] +combines faith with understanding, through which we +may touch the hem of His garment; and know that om- +nipotence has all power. “I am the Lord, and there is +none else, there is no God beside me.” + +Is there a personal man? [20] + +The Scriptures inform us that man was made in the +image and likeness of God. I commend the Icelandic +translation: “He created man in the image and likeness +of Mind, in the image and likeness of Mind created +He him.” To my sense, we have not seen all of man; [25] +he is more than personal sense can cognize, who is the +image and likeness of the infinite. I have not seen a +perfect man in mind or body,—and such must be the +personality of him who is the true likeness: the lost +image is not this personality, and corporeal man is this [30] +lost image; hence, it doth not appear what is the real +personality of man. The only cause for making this + +[Page 98.] + +question of personality a point, or of any importance, is [1] +that man’s perfect model should be held in mind, whereby +to improve his present condition; that his contemplation +regarding himself should turn away from inharmony, sick- +ness, and sin, to that which is the image of his Maker. [5] + + + + +Science And The Senses. + + +Substance of my Address at the National Convention in Chicago, +June 13, 1888 + +The National Christian Scientist Association has +brought us together to minister and to be ministered [10] +unto; mutually to aid one another in finding ways and +means for helping the whole human family; to quicken +and extend the interest already felt in a higher mode of +medicine; to watch with eager joy the individual growth +of Christian Scientists, and the progress of our common [15] +Cause in Chicago,—the miracle of the Occident. We +come to strengthen and perpetuate our organizations +and institutions; and to find strength in union,—strength +to build up, through God’s right hand, that pure and +undefiled religion whose Science demonstrates God and [20] +the perfectibility of man. This purpose is immense, +and it must begin with individual growth, a “consum- +mation devoutly to be wished.” The lives of all re- +formers attest the authenticity of their mission, and call +the world to acknowledge its divine Principle. Truly [25] +is it written:— + +“Thou must be true thyself, if thou the truth would’st teach; +Thy heart must overflow, if thou another’s heart would’st reach.” + +[Page 99.] + +Science is absolute and final. It is revolutionary in [1] +its very nature; for it upsets all that is not upright. +It annuls false evidence, and saith to the five material +senses, “Having eyes ye see not, and ears ye hear not; +neither can you understand.” To weave one thread of [5] +Science through the looms of time, is a miracle in itself. +The risk is stupendous. It cost Galileo, what? This +awful price: the temporary loss of his self-respect. His +fear overcame his loyalty; the courage of his convictions +fell before it. Fear is the weapon in the hands of [10] +tyrants. + +Men and women of the nineteenth century, are you +called to voice a higher order of Science? Then obey +this call. Go, if you must, to the dungeon or the scaf- +fold, but take not back the words of Truth. How many [15] +are there ready to suffer for a righteous cause, to stand +a long siege, take the front rank, face the foe, and be +in the battle every day? + +In no other one thing seemed Jesus of Nazareth more +divine than in his faith in the immortality of his words. [20] +He said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my +words shall not pass away;” and they have not. The +winds of time sweep clean the centuries, but they can +never bear into oblivion his words. They still live, and +to-morrow speak louder than to-day. They are to-day [25] +as the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Make +straight God’s paths; make way for health, holiness, +universal harmony, and come up hither.” The gran- +deur of the word, the power of Truth, is again casting +out evils and healing the sick; and it is whispered, “This [30] +is Science.” + +Jesus taught by the wayside, in humble homes. He + +[Page 100.] + +spake of Truth and Love to artless listeners and dull [1] +disciples. His immortal words were articulated in a +decaying language, and then left to the providence of +God. Christian Science was to interpret them; and +woman, “last at the cross,” was to awaken the dull senses, [5] +intoxicated with pleasure or pain, to the infinite meaning +of those words. + +Past, present, future, will show the word and might of +Truth—healing the sick and reclaiming the sinner— +so long as there remains a claim of error for Truth to [10] +deny or to destroy. Love’s labors are not lost. The +five personal senses, that grasp neither the meaning nor +the magnitude of self-abnegation, may lose sight thereof; +but Science voices unselfish love, unfolds infinite good, +leads on irresistible forces, and will finally show the fruits [15] +of Love. Human reason is inaccurate; and the scope +of the senses is inadequate to grasp the word of Truth, +and teach the eternal. + +Science speaks when the senses are silent, and then +the evermore of Truth is triumphant. The spiritual mon- [20] +itor understood is coincidence of the divine with the +human, the acme of Christian Science. Pure humanity, +friendship, home, the interchange of love, bring to earth +a foretaste of heaven. They unite terrestrial and celes- +tial joys, and crown them with blessings infinite. [25] + +The Christian Scientist loves man more because he +loves God most. He understands this Principle,—Love. +Who is sufficient for these things? Who remembers that +patience, forgiveness, abiding faith, and affection, are +the symptoms by which our Father indicates the dif- [30] +ferent stages of man’s recovery from sin and his en- +trance into Science? Who knows how the feeble lips + +[Page 101.] + +are made eloquent, how hearts are inspired, how heal- [1] +ing becomes spontaneous, and how the divine Mind is +understood and demonstrated? He alone knows these +wonders who is departing from the thraldom of the +senses and accepting spiritual truth,—that which blesses [5] +its adoption by the refinement of joy and the dismissal of +sorrow. + +Christian Science and the senses are at war. It is a +revolutionary struggle. We already have had two in +this nation; and they began and ended in a contest for [10] +the true idea, for human liberty and rights. Now cometh +a third struggle; for the freedom of health, holiness, and +the attainment of heaven. + +The scientific sense of being which establishes har- +mony, enters into no compromise with finiteness and [15] +feebleness. It undermines the foundations of mortality, +of physical law, breaks their chains, and sets the captive +free, opening the doors for them that are bound. + +He who turns to the body for evidence, bases his con- +clusions on mortality, on imperfection; but Science saith +to man, “God hath all-power.” [20] + +The Science of omnipotence demonstrates but one +power, and this power is good, not evil; not matter, +but Mind. This virtually destroys matter and evil, in- +cluding sin and disease. [25] + +If God is All, and God is good, it follows that all +must be good; and no other power, law, or intelligence +can exist. On this proof rest premise and conclusion in +Science, and the facts that disprove the evidence of the +senses. [30] + +God is individual Mind. This one Mind and His +individuality comprise the elements of all forms and + +[Page 102.] + +individualities, and prophesy the nature and stature of [1] +Christ, the ideal man. + +A corporeal God, as often defined by lexicographers +and scholastic theologians, is only an infinite finite being, +an unlimited man,—a theory to me inconceivable. If [5] +the unlimited and immortal Mind could originate in a +limited body, Mind would be chained to finity, and the +infinite forever finite. + +In this limited and lower sense God is not personal. +His infinity precludes the possibility of corporeal person- [10] +ality. His being is individual, but not physical. + +God is like Himself and like nothing else. He is uni- +versal and primitive. His character admits of no degrees +of comparison. God is not part, but the whole. In His +individuality I recognize the loving, divine Father-Mother [15] +God. Infinite personality must be incorporeal. + +God’s ways are not ours. His pity is expressed in +modes above the human. His chastisements are the +manifestations of Love. The sympathy of His eternal +Mind is fully expressed in divine Science, which blots [20] +out all our iniquities and heals all our diseases. Human +pity often brings pain. + +Science supports harmony, denies suffering, and de- +stroys it with the divinity of Truth. Whatever seems mate- +rial, seems thus only to the material senses, and is but the [25] +subjective state of mortal and material thought. + +Science has inaugurated the irrepressible conflict be- +tween sense and Soul. Mortal thought wars with this +sense as one that beateth the air, but Science outmasters +it, and ends the warfare. This proves daily that “one [30] +on God’s side is a majority.” + +Science defines _omnipresence_ as universality, that which + +[Page 103.] + +precludes the presence of evil. This verity annuls the tes- [1] +timony of the senses, which say that sin is an evil power, +and substance is perishable. Intelligent Spirit, Soul, is +substance, far more impregnable and solid than matter; for +one is temporal, while the other is eternal, the ultimate [5] +and predicate of being. + +Mortality, materiality, and destructive forces, such as +sin, disease, and death, mortals virtually name _substance_; +but these are the substance of things _not_ hoped for. For +lack of knowing what substance is, the senses say vaguely: [10] +“The substance of life is sorrow and mortality; for who +knoweth the substance of good?” In Science, form and +individuality are never lost, thoughts are outlined, indi- +vidualized ideas, which dwell forever in the divine Mind +as tangible, true substance, because eternally conscious. [15] +Unlike mortal mind, which must be ever in bondage, +the eternal Mind is free, unlimited, and knows not the +temporal. + +Neither does the temporal know the eternal. Mortal +man, as mind or matter, is neither the pattern nor Maker [20] +of immortal man. Any inference of the divine derived +from the human, either as mind or body, hides the actual +power, presence, and individuality of God. + +Jesus’ personality in the flesh, so far as material sense +could discern it, was like that of other men; but Science [25] +exchanges this human concept of Jesus for the divine +ideal, his spiritual individuality that reflected the Im- +manuel, or “God with us.” This God was not outlined. +He was too mighty for that. He was eternal Life, infinite +Truth and Love. The individuality is embraced in Mind, [30] +therefore is forever with the Father. Hence the Scrip- +ture, “I am a God at hand, saith the Lord.” Even while + +[Page 104.] + +his personality was on earth and in anguish, his individual [1] +being, the Christ, was at rest in the eternal harmony. +His unseen individuality, so superior to that which was +seen, was not subject to the temptations of the flesh, to +laws material, to death, or the grave. Formed and gov- [5] +erned by God, this individuality was safe in the substance +of Soul, the substance of Spirit,—yea, the substance of +God, the one inclusive good. + +In Science all being is individual; for individuality is +endless in the calculus of forms and numbers. Herein [10] +sin is miraculous and supernatural; for it is not in the +nature of God, and good is forever good. Accord- +ing to Christian Science, perfection is normal,—not +miraculous. Clothed, and in its right Mind, man’s +individuality is sinless, deathless, harmonious, eternal. [15] +His materiality, clad in a false mentality, wages feeble +fight with his individuality,—his physical senses with +his spiritual senses. The latter move in God’s grooves +of Science: the former revolve in their own orbits, and +must stand the friction of false selfhood until self- [20] +destroyed. + +In obedience to the divine nature, man’s individuality +reflects the divine law and order of being. How shall +we reach our true selves? Through Love. The Prin- +ciple of Christian Science is Love, and its idea represents [25] +Love. This divine Principle and idea are demonstrated, +in healing, to be God and the real man. + +Who wants to be mortal, or would not gain the true +ideal of Life and recover his own individuality? I will +love, if another hates. I will gain a balance on the side of [30] +good, my true being. This alone gives me the forces of +God wherewith to overcome all error. On this rests the + +[Page 105.] + +implicit faith engendered by Christian Science, which [1] +appeals intelligently to the facts of man’s spirituality, in- +dividuality, to disdain the fears and destroy the discords +of this material personality. + +On our Master’s individual demonstrations over sin, [5] +sickness, and death, rested the anathema of priesthood +and the senses; yet this demonstration is the foundation +of Christian Science. His physical sufferings, which +came from the testimony of the senses, were over when +he resumed his individual spiritual being, after showing [10] +us the way to escape from the material body. + +Science would have no conflict with Life or common +sense, if this sense were consistently sensible. Man’s real +life or existence is in harmony with Life and its glorious +phenomena. It upholds being, and destroys the too [15] +common sense of its opposites—death, disease, and sin. +Christian Science is an everlasting victor, and vanquish- +ment is unknown to the omnipresent Truth. I must ever +follow this line of light and battle. + +Christian Science is my only ideal; and the individual [20] +and his ideal can never be severed. If either is misunder- +stood or maligned, it eclipses the other with the shadow +cast by this error. + +Truth destroys error. Nothing appears to the physi- +cal senses but their own subjective state of thought. The [25] +senses join issue with error, and pity what has no right +either to be pitied or to exist, and what does not exist in +Science. Destroy the thought of sin, sickness, death, and +you destroy their existence. “Whatsoever a man soweth, +that shall he also reap.” [30] + +Because God is Mind, and this Mind is good, all +is good and all is Mind. God is the sum total of the + +[Page 106.] + +universe. Then what and where are sin, sickness, and [1] +death? + +Christian Science and Christian Scientists will, _must_, +have a history; and if I could write the history in poor +parody on Tennyson’s grand verse, it would read [5] +thus:— + + + Traitors to right of them, + M. D.’s to left of them, + Priestcraft in front of them, + Volleyed and thundered! [10] + Into the jaws of hate, + Out through the door of Love, + On to the blest above, + Marched the one hundred. + + + + +Extract From My First Address In The Mother Church, May 26, 1895 + + +_Friends and Brethren_:—Your Sunday Lesson, com- +posed of Scripture and its correlative in “Science and +Health with Key to the Scriptures,” has fed you. In addi- [20] +tion, I can only bring crumbs fallen from this table of +Truth, and gather up the fragments. + +It has long been a question of earnest import, How +shall mankind worship the most adorable, but most +unadored,—and where shall begin that praise that shall +never end? Beneath, above, beyond, methinks I hear [25] +the soft, sweet sigh of angels answering, “So live, that +your lives attest your sincerity and resound His praise.” + +Music is the harmony of being; but the music of Soul +affords the only strains that thrill the chords of feeling +and awaken the heart’s harpstrings. Moved by mind, [30] +your many-throated organ, in imitative tones of many + +[Page 107.] + +instruments, praises Him; but even the sweetness and [1] +beauty in and of this temple that praise Him, are earth’s +accents, and must not be mistaken for the oracles of God. +Art must not prevail over Science. Christianity is not +superfluous. Its redemptive power is seen in sore trials, [5] +self-denials, and crucifixions of the flesh. But these come +to the rescue of mortals, to admonish them, and plant +the feet steadfastly in Christ. As we rise above the seem- +ing mists of sense, we behold more clearly that all the +heart’s homage belongs to God. [10] + +More love is the great need of mankind. A pure af- +fection, concentric, forgetting self, forgiving wrongs and +forestalling them, should swell the lyre of human love. + +Three cardinal points must be gained before poor +humanity is regenerated and Christian Science is dem- [15] +onstrated: (1) A proper sense of sin; (2) repentance; +(3) the understanding of good. Evil is a negation: it +never started with time, and it cannot keep pace with +eternity. Mortals’ false senses pass through three states +and stages of human consciousness before yielding error. [20] +The deluded sense must first be shown its falsity through +a knowledge of evil as evil, so-called. Without a sense +of one’s oft-repeated violations of divine law, the in- +dividual may become morally blind, and this deplorable +mental state is moral idiocy. The lack of seeing one’s [25] +deformed mentality, and of _repentance_ therefor, deep, +never to be repented of, is retarding, and in certain mor- +bid instances stopping, the growth of Christian Scientists. +Without a knowledge of his sins, and repentance so severe +that it destroys them, no person is or can be a Christian [30] +Scientist. + +Mankind thinks either too much or too little of sin. + +[Page 108.] + +The sensitive, sorrowing saint thinks too much of it: the [1] +sordid sinner, or the so-called Christian asleep, thinks too +little of sin. + +To allow sin of any sort is anomalous in Christian +Scientists, claiming, as they do, that good is infinite, All. [5] +Our Master, in his definition of Satan as a liar from the +beginning, attested the absolute powerlessness—yea, +nothingness—of evil: since a lie, being without founda- +tion in fact, is merely a falsity; spiritually, literally, it +_is nothing_. [10] + +Not to know that a false claim is false, is to be in danger +of believing it; hence the utility of knowing evil aright, +then reducing its claim to its proper denominator,— +nobody and nothing. Sin should be conceived of only +as a delusion. This true conception would remove mortals’ [15] +ignorance and its consequences, and advance the second +stage of human consciousness, repentance. The first +state, namely, the knowledge of one’s self, the proper +knowledge of evil and its subtle workings wherein evil +seems as real as good, is indispensable; since that which [20] +is truly conceived of, we can handle; but the misconcep- +tion of what we need to know of evil,—or the concep- +tion of it at all as something real,—costs much. Sin +needs only to be known for what it is not; then we are +its master, not servant. Remember, and act on, Jesus’ [25] +definition of sin as a _lie_. This cognomen makes it less +dangerous; for most of us would not be seen believing +in, or adhering to, that which we know to be untrue. +What would be thought of a Christian Scientist who be- +lieved in the use of drugs, while declaring that they have [30] +no intrinsic quality and that there is no matter? What +should be thought of an individual believing in that + +[Page 109.] + +which is untrue, and at the same time declaring the unity [1] +of Truth, and its allness? Beware of those who mis- +represent facts; or tacitly assent where they should dis- +sent; or who take me as authority for what I disapprove, +or mayhap never have thought of, and try to reverse, in- [5] +vert, or controvert, Truth; for this is a sure pretext of +moral defilement. + +Examine yourselves, and see what, and how much, sin +claims of you; and how much of this claim you admit +as valid, or comply with. The knowledge of evil that [10] +brings on repentance is the most hopeful stage of mortal +mentality. Even a mild mistake must be seen as a mis- +take, in order to be corrected; how much more, then, +should one’s sins be seen and repented of, before they +can be reduced to their native nothingness! [15] + +Ignorance is only blest by reason of its nothingness; +for seeing the need of somethingness in its stead, blesses +mortals. Ignorance was the first condition of sin in the +allegory of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Their +mental state is not desirable, neither is a knowledge of [20] +sin and its consequences, repentance, _per se_; but, ad- +mitting the existence of both, mortals must hasten through +the second to the third stage,—the knowledge of good; +for without this the valuable sequence of knowledge +would be lacking,—even the power to escape from the [25] +false claims of sin. To understand good, one must discern +the nothingness of evil, and consecrate one’s life anew. + +Beloved brethren, Christ, Truth, saith unto you, “Be +not afraid!”—fear not sin, lest thereby it master you; +but only _fear to sin_. Watch and pray for self-knowledge; [30] +since then, and thus, cometh repentance,—and your +superiority to a delusion is won. + +[Page 110.] + +Repentance is better than sacrifice. The costly balm [1] +of Araby, poured on our Master’s feet, had not the value +of a single _tear_. + +Beloved children, the world has need of you,—and +more as children than as men and women: it needs your [5] +innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontami- +nated lives. You need also to watch, and pray that you +preserve these virtues unstained, and lose them not through +contact with the world. What grander ambition is there +than to maintain in yourselves what Jesus loved, and to [10] +know that your example, more than words, makes morals +for mankind! + + + + +Address Before The Alumni Of The Massachusetts Metaphysical College, 1895 + + +_My Beloved Students_:—Weeks have passed into [15] +months, and months into years, since last we met; but +time and space, when encompassed by divine presence, +do not separate us. Our hearts have kept time together, +and our hands have wrought steadfastly at the same +object-lesson, while leagues have lain between us. [20] + +We may well unite in thanksgiving for the continued +progress and unprecedented prosperity of our Cause. It +is already obvious that the world’s acceptance and the +momentum of Christian Science, increase rapidly as +years glide on. [25] + +As Christian Scientists, you have dared the perilous de- +fense of Truth, and have succeeded. You have learned +how fleeting is that which men call great; and how per- +manent that which God calls good. + +[Page 111.] + +You have proven that the greatest piety is scarcely [1] +sufficient to demonstrate what you have adopted and +taught; that your work, well done, would dignify angels. + +Faithfully, as meekly, you have toiled all night; and +at break of day caught much. At times, your net has [5] +been so full that it broke: human pride, creeping into +its meshes, extended it beyond safe expansion; then, +losing hold of divine Love, you lost your fishes, and pos- +sibly blamed others more than yourself. But those whom +God makes “fishers of men” will not pull for the shore; [10] +like Peter, they launch into the depths, cast their nets +on the right side, compensate loss, and gain a higher sense +of the true idea. Nothing is lost that God gives: had He +filled the net, it would not have broken. + +Leaving the seed of Truth to its own vitality, it propa- [15] +gates: the tares cannot hinder it. Our Master said, +“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall +not pass away;” and Jesus’ faith in Truth must not ex- +ceed that of Christian Scientists who prove its power to +be immortal. [20] + +The Christianity that is merely of sects, the pulpit, and +fashionable society, is brief; but the Word of God abideth. +Plato was a pagan; but no greater difference existed be- +tween his doctrines and those of Jesus, than to-day exists +between the Catholic and Protestant sects. I love the [25] +orthodox church; and, in time, that church will love +Christian Science. Let me specially call the attention of +this Association to the following false beliefs inclining +mortal mind more deviously:— + +The belief in anti-Christ: that somebody in the flesh [30] +is the son of God, or is another Christ, or is a spiritually +adopted child, or is an incarnated babe, is the evil one— + +[Page 112.] + +in other words, the one evil—disporting itself with the [1] +subtleties of sin! + +Even honest thinkers, not knowing whence they come, +may deem these delusions verities, before they know it, +or really look the illusions in the face. The ages are bur- [5] +dened with material modes. Hypnotism, microbes, X-rays, +and ex-common sense, occupy time and thought; and +error, given new opportunities, will improve them. The +most just man can neither defend the innocent nor detect +the guilty, unless he knows _how_ to be just; and this knowl- [10] +edge demands our time and attention. + +The mental stages of crime, which seem to belong to +the latter days, are strictly classified in metaphysics as +some of the many features and forms of what is properly +denominated, in extreme cases, moral idiocy. I visited [15] +in his cell the assassin of President Garfield, and found +him in the mental state called moral idiocy. He had no +sense of his crime; but regarded his act as one of simple +justice, and himself as the victim. My few words touched +him; he sank back in his chair, limp and pale; his flip- [20] +pancy had fled. The jailer thanked me, and said, “Other +visitors have brought to him bouquets, but you have +brought what will do him good.” + +This mental disease at first shows itself in extreme +sensitiveness; then, in a loss of self-knowledge and of [25] +self-condemnation,—a shocking inability to see one’s +own faults, but an exaggerating sense of other people’s. +Unless this mental condition be overcome, it ends in a +total loss of moral, intellectual, and spiritual discernment, +and is characterized in this Scripture: “The fool hath [30] +said in his heart, There is no God.” This state of mind +is the exemplification of total depravity, and the result + +[Page 113.] + +of sensuous mind in matter. Mind that is God is not in [1] +matter; and God’s presence gives spiritual light, wherein +is no darkness. + +If, as is indisputably true, “God is Spirit,” and Spirit +is our Father and Mother, and that which it includes is [5] +all that is real and eternal, when evil seems to predomi- +nate and divine light to be obscured, free moral agency +is lost; and the Revelator’s vision, that “no man might +buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the +beast, or the number of his name,” is imminent. [10] + +Whoever is mentally manipulating human mind, and +is not gaining a higher sense of Truth by it, is losing in +the scale of moral and spiritual being, and may be car- +ried to the depths of perdition by his own consent. He +who refuses to be influenced by any but the divine Mind, [15] +commits his way to God, and rises superior to sugges- +tions from an evil source. Christian Science shows that +there is a way of escape from the latter-day ultimatum +of evil, through scientific truth; so that all are without +excuse. [20] + +Already I clearly recognize that mental malpractice, +if persisted in, will end in insanity, dementia, or moral +idiocy. Thank God! this evil can be resisted by true +Christianity. Divine Love is our hope, strength, and +shield. We have nothing to fear when Love is at the [25] +helm of thought, but everything to enjoy on earth and +in heaven. + +The systematized centres of Christian Science are life- +giving fountains of truth. Our churches, _The Christian_ +_Science Journal_, and the _Christian Science Quarterly_, [30] +are prolific sources of spiritual power whose intellectual, +moral, and spiritual animus is felt throughout the land. + +[Page 114.] + +Our Publishing Society, and our Sunday Lessons, are [1] +of inestimable value to all seekers after Truth. The Com- +mittee on Sunday School Lessons cannot give too much +time and attention to their task, and should spare no +research in the preparation of the _Quarterly_ as an educa- [5] +tional branch. + +The teachers of Christian Science need to watch inces- +santly the trend of their own thoughts; watch that these +be not secretly robbed, and themselves misguided, and +so made to misteach others. Teachers must conform [10] +strictly to the rules of divine Science announced in the +Bible and their textbook, “Science and Health with Key +to the Scriptures.” They must themselves practise, and +teach others to practise, the Hebrew Decalogue, the Ser- +mon on the Mount, and the understanding and enuncia- [15] +tion of these according to Christ. + +They must always have on armor, and resist the foe +within and without. They cannot arm too thoroughly +against original sin, appearing in its myriad forms: pass- +sion, appetites, hatred, revenge, and all the _et cetera_ of [20] +evil. Christian Scientists cannot watch too sedulously, +or bar their doors too closely, or pray to God too fer- +vently, for deliverance from the claims of evil. Thus +doing, Scientists will silence evil suggestions, uncover +their methods, and stop their hidden influence upon the [25] +lives of mortals. Rest assured that God in His wisdom +will test all mankind on all questions; and then, if found +faithful, He will deliver us from temptation and show us +the powerlessness of evil,—even its utter nothingness. + +The teacher in Christian Science who does not spe- [30] +cially instruct his pupils how to guard against evil and +its silent modes, and to be able, through Christ, the liv- + +[Page 115.] + +ing Truth, to protect themselves therefrom, is commit- [1] +ting an offense against God and humanity. With Science +and Health for their textbook, I am astounded at the +apathy of some students on the subject of sin and mental +malpractice, and their culpable ignorance of the work- [5] +ing of these—and even the teacher’s own deficiency in +this department. I can account for this state of mind in +the teacher only as the result of sin; otherwise, his own +guilt as a mental malpractitioner, and fear of being found +out. [10] + +The helpless ignorance of the community on this sub- +ject is pitiable, and plain to be seen. May God enable +my students to take up the cross as I have done, and meet +the pressing need of a proper preparation of heart to prac- +tise, teach, and live Christian Science! Your means of [15] +protection and defense from sin are, constant watchful- +ness and prayer that you enter not into temptation and +are delivered from every claim of evil, till you intelligently +know and demonstrate, in Science, that evil has neither +prestige, power, nor existence, since God, good, is All- [20] +in-all. + +The increasing necessity for relying on God to de- +fend us against the subtler forms of evil, turns us more +unreservedly to Him for help, and thus becomes a means +of grace. If one lives rightly, every effort to hurt one [25] +will only help that one; for God will give the ability to +overcome whatever tends to impede progress. Know +this: that you cannot overcome the baneful effects of +sin on yourself, if you in any way indulge in sin; for, +sooner or later, you will fall the victim of your own as [30] +well as of others’ sins. Using mental power in the right +direction only, doing to others as you would have them + +[Page 116.] + +do to you, will overcome evil with good, and destroy [1] +your own sensitiveness to the power of evil. + +The God of all grace be with you, and save you from +“spiritual wickedness in high places.” + +PLEASANT VIEW, CONCORD, N. H., [5] +June 3, 1895 + + + + +Address Before The Christian Scientist Association Of The Massachusetts +Metaphysical College, In 1893 + + +SUBJECT: _Obedience_ [10] + +_My Beloved Students_:—This question, ever nearest +to my heart, is to-day uppermost: Are we filling the +measures of life’s music aright, emphasizing its grand +strains, swelling the harmony of being with tones whence +come glad echoes? As _crescendo_ and _diminuendo_ accent [15] +music, so the varied strains of human chords express +life’s loss or gain,—loss of the pleasures and pains and +pride of life: gain of its sweet concord, the courage of +honest convictions, and final obedience to spiritual law. +The ultimate of scientific research and attainment in [20] +divine Science is not an argument: it is not merely say- +ing, but doing, the Word—demonstrating Truth—even +as the fruits of watchfulness, prayer, struggles, tears, and +triumph. + +Obeying the divine Principle which you profess to un- [25] +derstand and love, demonstrates Truth. Never absent +from your post, never off guard, never ill-humored, never +unready to work for God,—is obedience; being “faith- +ful over a few things.” If in one instance obedience be +lacking, you lose the scientific rule and its reward: namely, [30] + +[Page 117.] + +to be made “ruler over many things.” A progressive [1] +life is the reality of Life that unfolds its immortal Prin- +ciple. + +The student of Christian Science must first separate the +tares from the wheat; discern between the thought, [5] +motive, and act superinduced by the wrong motive or +the true—the God-given intent and volition—arrest +the former, and obey the latter. This will place him on +the safe side of practice. We always know where to look +for the real Scientist, and always find him there. I agree [10] +with Rev. Dr. Talmage, that “there are wit, humor, and +enduring vivacity among God’s people.” + +Obedience is the offspring of Love; and Love is the +Principle of unity, the basis of all right thinking and +acting; it fulfils the law. We see eye to eye and know as we [15] +are known, reciprocate kindness and work wisely, in +proportion as we love. + +It is difficult for me to carry out a divine commission +while participating in the movements, or _modus operandi_, +of other folks. To point out every step to a student and [20] +then watch that each step be taken, consumes time,— +and experiments ofttimes are costly. According to my +calendar, God’s time and mortals’ differ. The neo- +phyte is inclined to be too fast or too slow: he works +somewhat in the dark; and, sometimes out of season, [25] +he would replenish his lamp at the midnight hour and +borrow oil of the more provident watcher. God is the +fountain of light, and He illumines one’s way when one +is obedient. The disobedient make their moves before +God makes His, or make them too late to follow Him. [30] +Be sure that God _directs_ your way; then, hasten to follow +under every circumstance. + +[Page 118.] + +Human will must be subjugated. We cannot obey [1] +both God, good, and evil,—in other words, the ma- +terial senses, false suggestions, self-will, selfish motives, +and human policy. We shall have no faith in evil +when faith finds a resting-place and scientific under- [5] +standing guides man. Honesty in every condition, +under every circumstance, is the indispensable rule of +obedience. To obey the principle of mathematics ninety- +nine times in one hundred and then allow one numeral +to make incorrect your entire problem, is neither Science [10] +nor obedience. + +However keenly the human affections yearn to for- +give a mistake, and pass a friend over it smoothly, one’s +sympathy can neither atone for error, advance individual +growth, nor change this immutable decree of Love: “Keep [15] +My commandments.” The guerdon of meritorious +faith or trustworthiness rests on being willing to work +alone with God and for Him,—willing to suffer patiently +for error until all error is destroyed and His rod and His +staff comfort you. [20] + +Self-ignorance, self-will, self-righteousness, lust, covet- +ousness, envy, revenge, are foes to grace, peace, and +progress; they must be met manfully and overcome, +or they will uproot all happiness. Be of good cheer; +the warfare with one’s self is grand; it gives one plenty [25] +of employment, and the divine Principle worketh with +you,—and obedience crowns persistent effort with +everlasting victory. Every attempt of evil to harm good +is futile, and ends in the fiery punishment of the +evil-doer. [30] + +Jesus said, “Not that which goeth into the mouth +defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, + +[Page 119.] + +this defileth a man.” If malicious suggestions whisper [1] +evil through the mind’s tympanum, this were no apology +for acting evilly. We are responsible for our thoughts and +acts; and instead of aiding other people’s devices by +obeying them,—and then whining over misfortune,— [5] +rise and overthrow both. If a criminal coax the unwary +man to commit a crime, our laws punish the dupe as ac- +cessory to the fact. Each individual is responsible for +himself. + +Evil is impotent to turn the righteous man from his [10] +uprightness. The nature of the individual, more stub- +born than the circumstance, will always be found argu- +ing for itself,—its habits, tastes, and indulgences. This +material nature strives to tip the beam against the spir- +itual nature; for the flesh strives against Spirit,—against [15] +whatever or whoever opposes evil,—and weighs mightily +in the scale against man’s high destiny. This conclusion +is not an argument either for pessimism or for optimism, +but is a plea for free moral agency,—full exemption +from all necessity to obey a power that should be and is [20] +found powerless in Christian Science. + +Insubordination to the law of Love even in the least, +or strict obedience thereto, tests and discriminates be- +tween the real and the unreal Scientist. Justice, a +prominent statute in the divine law, demands of all [25] +trespassers upon the sparse individual rights which one +justly reserves to one’s self,—Would you consent that +others should tear up your landmarks, manipulate your +students, nullify or reverse your rules, countermand +your orders, steal your possessions, and escape the [30] +penalty therefor? No! “Therefore all things what- +soever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even + +[Page 120.] + +so to them.” The professors of Christian Science must [1] +take off their shoes at our altars; they must unclasp +the material sense of things at the very threshold of +Christian Science: they must obey implicitly each and +every injunction of the divine Principle of life’s long [5] +problem, or repeat their work in tears. In the words +of St. Paul, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield your- +selves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye +obey; whether of sin unto death, or of _obedience_ unto +righteousness?” [10] + +Beloved students, loyal laborers are ye that have wrought +valiantly, and achieved great guerdons in the vineyard +of our Lord; but a mighty victory is yet to be won, a +great freedom for the race; and Christian success is +under arms,—with armor on, not laid down. Let us [15] +rejoice, however, that the clarion call of peace will at +length be heard above the din of battle, and come more +sweetly to our ear than sound of vintage bells to villagers +on the Rhine. + +I recommend that this Association hereafter meet tri- [20] +ennially; many of its members reside a long distance from +Massachusetts, and they are members of The Mother +Church who would love to be with you on Sunday, and +once in three years is perhaps as often as they can afford +to be away from their own fields of labor. [25] + + + + +Communion Address, January, 1896 + + +_Friends and Brethren:_—The Biblical record of the +great Nazarene, whose character we to-day commemorate, +is scanty; but what is given, puts to flight every doubt as +to the immortality of his words and works. Though [30] + +[Page 121.] + +written in a decaying language, his words can never pass [1] +away: they are inscribed upon the hearts of men: they +are engraved upon eternity’s tablets. + +Undoubtedly our Master partook of the Jews’ feast +of the Passover, and drank from their festal wine-cup. [5] +This, however, is not the cup to which I call your at- +tention,—even the cup of martyrdom: wherein Spirit +and matter, good and evil, seem to grapple, and the +human struggles against the divine, up to a point of +discovery; namely, the impotence of evil, and the om- [10] +nipotence of good, as divinely attested. Anciently, the +blood of martyrs was believed to be the seed of the Church. +Stalled theocracy would make this fatal doctrine just +and sovereign, even a divine decree, a law of Love! That +the innocent shall suffer for the guilty, is inhuman. The [15] +prophet declared, “Thou shalt put away the guilt of +innocent blood from Israel.” This is plain: that what- +ever belittles, befogs, or belies the nature and essence of +Deity, is not divine. Who, then, shall father or favor +this sentence passed upon innocence? thereby giving the [20] +signet of God to the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of His +beloved Son, the righteous Nazarene,—christened by +John the Baptist, “the Lamb of God.” + +Oh! shameless insult to divine royalty, that drew +from the great Master this answer to the questions of the [25] +rabbinical rabble: “If I tell you, ye will not believe; and +if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.” + +Infinitely greater than human pity, is divine Love,— +that cannot be unmerciful. Human tribunals, if just, +borrow their sense of justice from the divine Principle [30] +thereof, which punishes the guilty, not the innocent. The +Teacher of both law and gospel construed the substitution + +[Page 122.] + +of a good man to suffer for evil-doers—a _crime_! When [1] +foretelling his own crucifixion, he said, “Woe unto the +world because of offenses! for it must needs be that +offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense +cometh!” [5] + +Would Jesus thus have spoken of what was indis- +pensable for the salvation of a world of sinners, or of the +individual instrument in this holy (?) alliance for accom- +plishing such a monstrous work? or have said of him +whom God foreordained and predestined to fulfil a divine [10] +decree, “It were better for him that a millstone were +hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the +depth of the sea”? + +The divine order is the acme of mercy: it is neither +questionable nor assailable: it is not evil producing good, [15] +nor good ultimating in evil. Such an inference were +impious. Holy Writ denounces him that declares, “Let +us do evil, that good may come! whose damnation is +just.” + +Good is not educed from its opposite: and Love divine [20] +spurned, lessens not the hater’s hatred nor the criminal’s +crime; nor reconciles justice to injustice; nor substitutes +the suffering of the Godlike for the suffering due to sin. +Neither spiritual bankruptcy nor a religious chancery can +win high heaven, or the “Well done, good and faithful [25] +servant,... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” + +Divine Love knows no hate; for hate, or the hater, is +nothing: God never made it, and He made all that was +made. The hater’s pleasures are unreal; his sufferings, +self-imposed; his existence is a parody, and he ends— [30] +with suicide. + +The murder of the just Nazarite was incited by the + +[Page 123.] + +same spirit that in our time massacres our missionaries, [1] +butchers the helpless Armenians, slaughters innocents. +Evil was, and is, the illusion of breaking the First Com- +mandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me:” +it is either idolizing something and somebody, or hating [5] +them: it is the spirit of idolatry, envy, jealousy, covet- +ousness, superstition, lust, hypocrisy, _witchcraft_. + +That man can break the forever-law of infinite Love, +was, and is, the serpent’s biggest lie! and ultimates in +a religion of pagan priests bloated with crime; a religion [10] +that demands human victims to be sacrificed to human +passions and human gods, or tortured to appease the +anger of a so-called god or a miscalled man or woman! +The Assyrian Merodach, or the god of sin, was the “lucky +god;” and the Babylonian Yawa, or Jehovah, was the [15] +Jewish tribal deity. The _Christian’s_ God is neither, and +is too pure to behold iniquity. + +Divine Science has rolled away the stone from the sepul- +chre of our Lord; and there has risen to the awakened +thought the majestic atonement of divine Love. The [20] +at-one-ment with Christ has appeared—not through +vicarious suffering, whereby the just obtain a pardon for +the unjust,—but through the eternal law of justice; +wherein sinners suffer for their own sins, repent, forsake +sin, love God, and keep His commandments, thence to [25] +receive the reward of righteousness: salvation from sin, +not through the _death_ of a man, but through a divine _Life_, +which is our Redeemer. + +Holy Writ declares that God is Love, is Spirit; hence +it follows that those who worship Him, must worship [30] +Him spiritually,—far apart from physical sensation +such as attends eating and drinking corporeally. It is + +[Page 124.] + +plain that aught unspiritual, intervening between God [1] +and man, would tend to disturb the divine order, and +countermand the Scripture that those who worship the +Father must worship Him in spirit. It is also plain, +that we should not seek and cannot find God in mat- [5] +ter, or through material methods; neither do we love +and obey Him by means of matter, or the flesh,—which +warreth against Spirit, and will not be reconciled +thereto. + +We turn, with sickened sense, from a pagan Jew’s [10] +or Moslem’s misconception of Deity, for peace; and find +rest in the spiritual ideal, or Christ. For “who is so +great a God as our God!” unchangeable, all-wise, all- +just, all-merciful; the ever-loving, ever-living Life, Truth, +Love: comforting such as mourn, opening the prison [15] +doors to the captive, marking the unwinged bird, pitying +with more than a father’s pity; healing the sick, cleansing +the leper, raising the dead, saving sinners. As we think +thereon, man’s true sense is filled with peace, and power; +and we say, It is well that Christian Science has taken [20] +expressive silence wherein to muse His praise, to kiss the +feet of Jesus, adore the white Christ, and stretch out our +arms to God. + +The last act of the tragedy on Calvary rent the veil +of matter, and unveiled Love’s great legacy to mortals: [25] +_Love forgiving its enemies_. This grand act crowned +and still crowns Christianity: it manumits mortals; it +translates love; it gives to suffering, inspiration; to +patience, experience; to experience, hope; to hope, faith; +to faith, understanding; and to understanding, Love tri- [30] +umphant! + +In proportion to a man’s spiritual progress, he will + +[Page 125.] + +indeed drink of our Master’s cup, and be baptized with [1] +his baptism! be purified as by fire,—the fires of suffering; +then hath he part in Love’s atonement, for “whom the +Lord loveth He chasteneth.” Then shall he also reign +with him: he shall rise to know that there is no sin, [5] +that there is no suffering; since all that is _real_ is _right_. +This knowledge enables him to overcome the world, the +flesh, and all evil, to have dominion over his own sinful +sense and self. Then shall he drink anew Christ’s cup, +in the kingdom of God—the reign of righteousness— [10] +within him; he shall sit down at the Father’s right hand: +_sit down_; not stand waiting and weary; but rest on the +bosom of God; rest, in the understanding of divine Love +that passeth all understanding; rest, in that which “to +know aright is Life eternal,” and whom, not having seen, [15] +we love. + +Then shall he press on to Life’s long lesson, the eternal +lore of Love; and learn forever the infinite meanings of +these short sentences: “God is Love;” and, All that is +real is divine, for God is All-in-all. [20] + + + + +Message To The Annual Meeting Of The Mother Church, Boston, 1896 + + +_Beloved Brethren, Children, and Grandchildren_:— +Apart from the common walks of mankind, revolving +oft the hitherto untouched problems of being, and [25] +oftener, perhaps, the controversies which baffle it, +Mother, thought-tired, turns to-day to you; turns to +her dear church, to tell the towers thereof the remarkable +achievements that have been ours within the past few +years: the rapid transit from halls to churches, from un- [30] + +[Page 126.] + +settled questions to permanence, from danger to escape, [1] +from fragmentary discourses to one eternal sermon; yea, +from darkness to daylight, in physics and metaphysics. + +Truly, I half wish for society again; for once, at least, +to hear the soft music of our Sabbath chimes saluting the [5] +ear in tones that leap for joy, with love for God and +man. + +Who hath not learned that when alone he has his +own thoughts to guard, and when struggling with man- +kind his temper, and in society his tongue? We also [10] +have gained higher heights; have learned that trials lift +us to that dignity of Soul which sustains us, and finally +conquers them; and that the ordeal refines while it +chastens. + +Perhaps our church is not yet quite sensible of what [15] +we owe to the strength, meekness, honesty, and obedi- +ence of the Christian Science Board of Directors; to +the able editors of _The Christian Science Journal_, and +to our efficient Publishing Society. + +No reproof is so potent as the silent lesson of a good [20] +example. Works, more than words, should characterize +Christian Scientists. Most people condemn evil-doing, +evil-speaking; yet nothing circulates so rapidly: even gold +is less current. Christian Scientists have a strong race to +run, and foes in ambush; but bear in mind that, in the [25] +long race, honesty always defeats dishonesty. + +God hath indeed smiled on my church,—this +daughter of Zion: she sitteth in high places; and to de- +ride her is to incur the penalty of which the Hebrew +bard spake after this manner: “He that sitteth in the [30] +heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in +derision.” + +[Page 127.] + +Hitherto, I have observed that in proportion as this [1] +church has smiled on His “little ones,” He has blessed +her. Throughout my entire connection with The Mother +Church, I have seen, that in the ratio of her love for +others, hath His love been bestowed upon her; watering [5] +her waste places, and enlarging her borders. + +One thing I have greatly desired, and again earnestly +request, namely, that Christian Scientists, here and +elsewhere, pray daily for themselves; not verbally, nor +on bended knee, but mentally, meekly, and importu- [10] +nately. When a hungry heart petitions the divine Father- +Mother God for bread, it is not given a stone,—but +more grace, obedience, and love. If this heart, humble +and trustful, faithfully asks divine Love to feed it with the +bread of heaven, health, holiness, it will be conformed to [15] +a fitness to receive the answer to its desire; then will flow +into it the “river of His pleasure,” the tributary of divine +Love, and great growth in Christian Science will follow,— +even that joy which finds one’s own in another’s good. + +To love, and to be loved, one must do good to others. [20] +The inevitable condition whereby to become blessed, is to +bless others: but here, you must so know yourself, under +God’s direction, that you will do His will even though +your pearls be downtrodden. Ofttimes the rod is His +means of grace; then it must be ours,—we cannot avoid [25] +wielding it if we reflect Him. + +Wise sayings and garrulous talk may fall to the ground, +rather than on the ear or heart of the hearer; but a tender +sentiment felt, or a kind word spoken, at the right moment, +is never wasted. Mortal mind presents phases of charac- [30] +ter which need close attention and examination. The +human heart, like a feather bed, needs often to be _stirred_, + +[Page 128.] + +sometimes roughly, and given a variety of _turns_, else it [1] +grows hard and uncomfortable whereon to repose. + +The lessons of this so-called life in matter are too vast +and varied to learn or to teach briefly; and especially +within the limits of a letter. Therefore I close here, [5] +with the apostle’s injunction: “Finally, brethren, what- +soever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, +whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, +whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of +good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any [10] +praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye +have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in +me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” + +With love, Mother, +MARY BAKER G. EDDY + + + + + +CHAPTER V. LETTERS. + + +[Page 129.] + + + + +To The Mother Church. + + +My Beloved Brethren:—If a member of the church +is inclined to be uncharitable, or to condemn his +brother without cause, let him put his finger to his lips, +and forgive others as he would _be_ forgiven. One’s first [5] +lesson is to learn one’s self; having done this, one will +naturally, through grace from God, forgive his brother and +love his enemies. To avenge an imaginary or an actual +wrong, is suicidal. The law of our God and the rule of +our church is to tell thy brother his fault and thereby help [10] +him. If this rule fails in effect, then take the next Scrip- +tural step: drop this member’s name from the church, and +thereafter “let the dead bury their dead,”—let silence +prevail over his remains. + +If a man is jealous, envious, or revengeful, he will seek [15] +occasion to balloon an atom of another man’s indis- +cretion, inflate it, and send it into the atmosphere of mortal +mind—for other green eyes to gaze on: he will always +find somebody in his way, and try to push him aside; +will see somebody’s faults to magnify under the lens that [20] +he never turns on himself. + +What have been your Leader’s precepts and example! +Were they to save the sinner, and to spare his exposure + +[Page 130.] + +so long as a hope remained of thereby benefiting him? [1] + +Has her life exemplified long-suffering, meekness, charity, +purity? + +She readily leaves the answer to those who know +her. [5] + +Do we yet understand how much better it is to be +wronged, than to commit wrong? What do we find in +the Bible, and in the Christian Science textbook, on this +subject? Does not the latter instruct you that looking +continually for a fault in somebody else, talking about it, [10] +thinking it over, and how to meet it,—“rolling sin as a +sweet morsel under your tongue,”—has the same power +to make you a sinner that acting thus regarding disease +has to make a man sick? Note the Scripture on this +subject: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the [15] +Lord.” + +The Christian Science Board of Directors has borne +the burden in the heat of the day, and it ought not to +be expected that they could have accomplished, without +one single mistake, such Herculean tasks as they have [20] +accomplished. He who judges others should know well +whereof he speaks. Where the motive to do right exists, +and the majority of one’s acts are right, we should avoid +referring to past mistakes. The greatest sin that one can +commit against himself is to wrong one of God’s “little [25] +ones.” + +Know ye not that he who exercises the largest charity, +and waits on God, renews his strength, and is exalted? +Love is not puffed up; and the meek and loving, God +anoints and appoints to lead the line of mankind’s tri- [30] +umphal march out of the wilderness, out of darkness +into light. + +[Page 131.] + +Whoever challenges the errors of others and cherishes [1] +his own, can neither help himself nor others; he will be +called a moral nuisance, a fungus, a microbe, a mouse +gnawing at the vitals of humanity. The darkness in +one’s self must first be cast out, in order rightly to discern [5] +darkness or to reflect light. + +If the man of more than average avoirdupois kneels on +a stool in church, let the leaner sort console this brother’s +necessity by doing likewise. Christian Scientists preserve +unity, and so shadow forth the substance of our sublime [10] +faith, and the evidence of its being built upon the rock of +divine oneness,—one faith, one God, one baptism. + +If our Board of Directors is prepared to itemize a report +of the first financial year since the erection of the edifice of +The First Church of Christ, Scientist, let it do so; other- [15] +wise, I recommend that you waive the church By-law +relating to finances this year of your firstfruits. This +Board did not act under that By-law; it was not in ex- +istence all of the year. It is but just to consider the great +struggles with perplexities and difficulties which the [20] +Directors encountered in Anno Domini 1894, and which +they have overcome. May God give unto us all that loving +sense of gratitude which delights in the opportunity to +cancel accounts. I, for one, would be pleased to have the +Christian Science Board of Directors itemize a bill of this [25] +church’s gifts to Mother; and then to have them let her +state the value thereof, if, indeed, it could be estimated. + +After this financial year, when you call on the members +of the Christian Science Board of Directors to itemize or +audit their accounts, these will be found already itemized, [30] +and last year’s records immortalized, with perils past and +victories won. + +[Page 132.] + +A motion was made, and a vote passed, at your last [1] +meeting, on a subject the substance whereof you had al- +ready accepted as a By-law. But, I shall take this as a +favorable omen, a fair token that heavy lids are opening, +even wider than before, to the light of Love—and By-laws. [5] + +Affectionately yours, +MARY BAKER EDDY + + + + +To ——, On Prayer. + + +MASSACHUSETTS METAPHYSICAL COLLEGE, +571 COLUMBUS AVENUE, [10] +BOSTON, March 21, 1885 + +_Dear Sir_:—In your communication to _Zion’s Herald_, +March 18, under the heading, “Prayer and Healing; sup- +plemental,” you state that you would “like to hear from +Dr. Cullis; and, by the way, from Mrs. Eddy, also.” [15] + +Because of the great demand upon my time, consisting +in part of dictating answers through my secretary, or an- +swering personally manifold letters and inquiries from all +quarters,—having charge of a church, editing a maga- +zine, teaching Christian Science, receiving calls, etc.,—I [20] +find it inconvenient to accept your invitation to answer +you through the medium of a newspaper; but, for infor- +mation as to what I believe and teach, would refer you to +the Holy Scriptures, to my various publications, and to my +Christian students. [25] + +It was with a thrill of pleasure that I read in your arti- +cle these words: “If we have in any way misrepresented +either Dr. Cullis or Mrs. Eddy, we are sorry.” Even the +desire to be just is a vital spark of Christianity. And those +words inspire me with the hope that you wish to be just. [30] + +[Page 133.] + +If this is so, you will not delay corrections of the statement [1] +you make at the close of your article, when referring to +me, “the pantheistic and prayerless Mrs. Eddy, of Boston.” + +It would be difficult to build a sentence of so few words +conveying ideas more opposite to the fact. [5] + +In refutation of your statement that I am a pantheist, +I request you to read my sermons and publications. + +As to being “prayerless,” I call your attention and +deep consideration to the following Scripture, that voices +my impressions of prayer:— [10] + +“When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites +are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and +in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.... +But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, +and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father [15] +which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret +shall reward thee openly.” + +I hope I am not wrong in literally following the dictum +of Jesus; and, were it not because of my desire to set +you right on this question, I should feel a delicacy in mak- [20] +ing the following statement:— + +Three times a day, I retire to seek the divine blessing +on the sick and sorrowing, with my face toward the Jeru- +salem of Love and Truth, in silent prayer to the Father +which “seeth in secret,” and with childlike confidence that [25] +He will reward “openly.” In the midst of depressing care +and labor I turn constantly to divine Love for guidance, +and find rest. It affords me great joy to be able to attest to +the truth of Jesus’ words. Love makes all burdens light, +it giveth a peace that passeth understanding, and with [30] +“signs following.” As to the peace, it is unutterable; as +to “signs,” behold the sick who are healed, the sorrowful + +[Page 134.] + +who are made hopeful, and the sinful and ignorant who [1] +have become “wise unto salvation”! + +And now, dear sir, as you have expressed contrition for +an act which you have immediately repeated, you are +placed in this dilemma: To reiterate such words of [5] +apology as characterize justice and Christianity. + +Very truly, +MARY BAKER G. EDDY + + + + +To The National Christian Scientist Association. + + +_Beloved Students_:—Meet together and meet _en masse_, [10] +in 1888, at the annual session of the National Christian +Scientist Association. Be “of one mind,” “in one place,” +and God will pour you out a blessing such as you never +before received. He who dwelleth in eternal light is +bigger than the shadow, and will guard and guide His [15] +own. + +Let no consideration bend or outweigh your purpose +to be in Chicago on June 13. Firm in your allegiance to +the reign of universal harmony, go to its rescue. In God’s +hour, the powers of earth and hell are proven powerless. [20] +The reeling ranks of _materia medica_, with poisons, nos- +trums, and knives, are impotent when at war with the +omnipotent! Like Elisha, look up, and behold: “They +that be with us, are more than they that be with them.” + +Error is only fermenting, and its heat hissing at the [25] +“still, small voice” of Truth; but it can neither silence +nor disarm God’s voice. Spiritual wickedness is stand- +ing in high places; but, blind to its own fate, it will tumble +into the bottomless. + +[Page 135.] + +Christians, and all _true_ Scientists, marching under what- [1] +soever ensign, come into the ranks! Again I repeat, per- +son is not in the question of Christian Science. Principle, +instead of person, is next to our hearts, on our lips, and +in our lives. Our watchwords are Truth and Love; and [5] +if we abide in these, they will abound in us, and we shall +be one in heart,—one in motive, purpose, pursuit. Abid- +ing in Love, not one of you can be separated from me; and +the sweet sense of journeying on together, doing unto +others as ye would they should do unto you, conquers all [10] +opposition, surmounts all obstacles, and secures success. +If you falter, or fail to fulfil this Golden Rule, though you +should build to the heavens, you would build on sand. + +Is it a cross to give one week’s time and expense to the +jubilee of Spirit? Then take this cross, and the crown [15] +with it. Sending forth currents of Truth, God’s methods +and means of healing, and so spreading the gospel of +Love, is in itself an eternity of joy that outweighs an +hour. Add one more noble offering to the unity of good, +and so cement the bonds of Love. [20] + +With love, +MARY BAKER EDDY + + + + +To The College Association. + + +Letter read at the meeting of the Massachusetts Metaphysical +College Association, June 3, 1891. [25] + +TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS’ ASSOCIATION OF +THE MASSACHUSETTS METAPHYSICAL COLLEGE + +_My Beloved Students_:—You may be looking to see me +in my accustomed place with you, but this you must no + +[Page 136.] + +longer expect. When I retired from the field of labor, [1] +it was a departure, socially, publicly, and finally, from +the routine of such material modes as society and our +societies demand. Rumors are rumors,—nothing more. +I am still with you on the field of battle, taking forward [5] +marches, broader and higher views, and with the hope +that you will follow. + +The eternal and infinite, already brought to your +earnest consideration, so grow upon my vision that I +cannot feel justified in turning aside for one hour from [10] +contemplation of them and of the faith unfeigned. +When the verities of being seem to you as to me,—as +they must some time,—you will understand the neces- +sity for my seclusion, and its fulfilment of divine order. +“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye sepa- [15] +rate, saith the Lord.” + +All our thoughts should be given to the absolute +demonstration of Christian Science. You can well +afford to give me up, since you have in my last re- +vised edition of Science and Health your teacher and [20] +guide. + +I recommend that the June session of this honorable +body shall close your meetings for the summer; also, that +hereafter you hold three sessions annually, convening +once in four months; oftener is not requisite, and the [25] +members coming from a distance will be accommodated +by this arrangement. + +Yours affectionately, +MARY B. G. EDDY + +[Page 137.] + + + + +To The National Christian Scientist Association. + + +_My Dear Students and Friends_:—Accept my thanks +for your card of invitation, your badge, and order of exer- +cise, all of which are complete. + +When I gave you a meagre reception in Boston at the [5] +close of the first convention of the National Christian +Scientist Association, it was simply to give you the privi- +lege, poor as it was, of speaking a few words aside to your +teacher. I remember my regret, when, having asked in +general assembly if you had any questions to propose, I [10] +received no reply. Since then you have doubtless realized +that such opportunity might have been improved; but +that time has passed. + +I greatly rejoice over the growth of my students within +the last few years. It was kind of you to part so gently [15] +with the protecting wings of the mother-bird, and to spread +your own so bravely. Now, dear ones, if you take my +advice again, you will do—what? + +Even this: Disorganize the National Christian Scientist +Association! and each one return to his place of [20] +labor, to work out individually and alone, for himself and +for others, the sublime ends of human life. + +To accomplish this, you must give much time to self- +examination and correction; you must control appetite, +passion, pride, envy, evil-speaking, resentment, and each [25] +one of the innumerable errors that worketh or maketh +a lie. Then you can give to the world the benefit of all +this, and heal and teach with increased confidence. My +students can _now_ organize their students into associa- +tions, form churches, and hold these organizations of their [30] + +[Page 138.] + +own,—until, in turn, their students will sustain them- [1] +selves and work for others. + +The time it takes yearly to prepare for this national +convention is worse than wasted, if it causes thought to +wander in the wilderness or ways of the world. The de- [5] +tail of conforming to society, in any way, costs you what +it would to give time and attention to hygiene in your +ministry and healing. + +For students to work together is not always to co- +operate, but sometimes to coelbow! Each student should [10] +seek alone the guidance of our common Father—even +the divine Principle which he claims to demonstrate,— +and especially should he prove his faith by works, ethi- +cally, physically, and spiritually. Remember that the +first and last lesson of Christian Science is love, perfect [15] +love, and love made perfect through the cross. + +I once thought that in unity was human strength; but +have grown to know that human strength is weakness,— +that unity is divine might, giving to human power, peace. + +My counsel is applicable to the state of general growth [20] +in the members of the National Christian Scientist Asso- +ciation, but it is not so adapted to the members of +students’ organizations. And wherefore? Because the +growth of these at first is more gradual; but whenever +they are equal to the march triumphant, God will give [25] +to all His soldiers of the cross the proper command, and +under the banner of His love, and with the “still, small +voice” for the music of our march, we all shall take step +and march on in spiritual organization. + +Your loving teacher, [30] +MARY BAKER G. EDDY + +CONCORD, N. H., May 23, 1890 + +[Page 139.] + +N. B. I recommend this honorable body to adjourn, [1] +if it does not disorganize, to three years from this date; +or, if it does disorganize, to meet again in three years. +Then bring your tithes into the storehouse, and God will +pour you out a blessing such as you even yet have not [5] +received. + +M. B. G. E. + + + + +To The First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Boston. + + +(_For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty_ [10] +_through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down_ +_imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the_ +_knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the_ +_obedience of Christ._—2 COR. X. 4, 5. + +In April, 1883, I started the _Journal_ of Christian [15] +Science, with a portion of the above Scripture for its +motto. + +On December 10, 1889, I gave a lot of land—in +Boston, situated near the beautiful Back Bay Park, now +valued at $20,000 and rising in value—for the purpose [20] +of having erected thereon a church edifice to be called The +Church of Christ, Scientist. + +I had this desirable site transferred in a circuitous, +novel way, at the wisdom whereof a few persons have +since scrupled; but to my spiritual perception, like all [25] +true wisdom, this transaction will in future be regarded +as greatly wise, and it will be found that this act was in +advance of the erring mind’s apprehension. + +As with all former efforts in the interest of Christian +Science, I took care that the provisions for the land and [30] + +[Page 140.] + +building were such as error could not control. I knew [1] +that to God’s gift, foundation and superstructure, no one +could hold a wholly material title. The land, and the +church standing on it, must be conveyed through a type +representing the true nature of the gift; a type morally [5] +and spiritually inalienable, but materially questionable +—even after the manner that all spiritual good comes +to Christian Scientists, to the end of taxing their faith +in God, and their adherence to the superiority of the +claims of Spirit over matter or merely legal titles. [10] + +No one could buy, sell, or mortgage my gift as I had +it conveyed. Thus the case rested, and I supposed the +trustee-deed was legal; but this was God’s business, not +mine. Our church was prospered by the right hand of +His righteousness, and contributions to the Building Fund [15] +generously poured into the treasury. Unity prevailed,— +till mortal man sought to know who owned God’s temple, +and adopted and urged only the material side of this +question. + +The lot of land which I donated I redeemed from under [20] +mortgage. The foundation on which our church was to +be built had to be rescued from the grasp of legal power, +and now it must be put back into the arms of Love, if we +would not be found fighting against God. + +The diviner claim and means for upbuilding the Church [25] +of Christ were prospered. Our title to God’s acres will +be safe and sound—when we can “read our title clear” +to heavenly mansions. Built on the rock, our church +will stand the storms of ages: though the material super- +structure should crumble into dust, the fittest would sur- [30] +vive,—the spiritual idea would live, a perpetual type of +the divine Principle it reflects. + +[Page 141.] + +The First Church of Christ, Scientist, our prayer in [1] +stone, will be the prophecy fulfilled, the monument up- +reared, of Christian Science. It will speak to you of the +Mother, and of your hearts’ offering to her through whom +was revealed to you God’s all-power, all-presence, and [5] +all-science. This building begun, will go up, and no one +can suffer from it, for no one can resist the power that +is behind it; and against this church temple “the gates +of hell” cannot prevail. + +All loyal Christian Scientists hail with joy this pro- [10] +posed type of universal Love; not so, however, with +error, which hates the bonds and methods of Truth, and +shudders at the freedom, might, and majesty of Spirit, +—even the annihilating law of Love. + +I vindicate both the law of God and the laws of our [15] +land. I believe,—yea, I understand,—that with the +spirit of Christ actuating all the parties concerned about +the legal quibble, it can easily be corrected to the satis- +faction of all. Let this be speedily done. Do not, I im- +plore you, stain the early history of Christian Science by [20] +the impulses of human will and pride; but let the divine +will and the nobility of human meekness rule this busi- +ness transaction, in obedience to the law of Love and the +laws of our land. + +As the ambassador of Christ’s teachings, I admonish [25] +you: Delay not longer to commence building our church +in Boston; or else return every dollar that you yourselves +declare you have had no legal authority for obtaining, to +the several contributors,—and let them, not you, say +what shall be done with their money. [30] + +Of our first church in Boston, O recording angel! +write: God is in the midst of her: how beautiful are her + +[Page 142.] + +feet! how beautiful are her garments! how hath He en- [1] +larged her borders! how hath He made her wildernesses +to bud and blossom as the rose! + +With love, +MARY BAKER EDDY + + + + +To Donors Of Boat, From Toronto, Canada. + + +Written on receipt of a beautiful boat presented by Christian +Scientists in Toronto, for the little pond at Pleasant View. The +boat displays, among other beautiful decorations, a number of +masonic symbols. [10] + +_Beloved Students and Friends_:—Accept my thanks +for the beautiful boat and presentation poem. Each day +since they arrived I have said, Let me write to the donors, +—and what? + +My first impression was to indite a poem; my second, [15] +a psalm; my third, a letter. Why the letter alone? Be- +cause your dear hearts expressed in their lovely gift such +varying types of true affection, shaded as autumn leaves +with bright hues of the spiritual, that my Muse lost her +lightsome lyre, and imagery of thought gave place to [20] +chords of feeling too deep for words. + +A boat song seemed more Olympian than the psalm in +spiritual strains of the Hebrew bard. So I send my +answer in a commonplace letter. Poor return, is it +not? [25] + +The symbols of freemasonry depicted on the boat +wakened memory, touched tender fibres of thought, and +I longed to say to the masonic brothers: If as a woman +I may not unite with you in freemasonry, nor you with +me in Christian Science, yet as friends we can feel the [30] + +[Page 143.] + +touch of heart to heart and hand to hand, on the broad [1] +basis and sure foundation of true friendship’s “level” +and the “square” of moral sentiments. + +My dear students may have explained to the kind par- +ticipants in beautifying this boat our spiritual points, [5] +above the plane of matter. If so, I may hope that a +closer link hath bound us. Across lakes, into a kingdom, +I reach out my hand to clasp yours, with this silent bene- +diction: May the kingdom of heaven come in each of +your hearts! [10] + +With love, +MARY BAKER EDDY + + + + +Address,—Laying The Corner-Stone. + + +_Beloved Students_:—On the 21st day of May, A.D. +1894, with quiet, imposing ceremony, is laid the corner- [15] +stone of “The First Church of Christ, Scientist,” in +Boston. + +It gives me great pleasure to say that you, principally +the Normal class graduates of my College, well known +physicians, teachers, editors, and pastors of churches, [20] +by contributions of one thousand dollars each, husband +and wife reckoned as one, have, within about three +months, donated the munificent sum of forty-two thou- +sand dollars toward building The Mother Church. A +quiet call from me for this extra contribution, in aid of [25] +our Church Building Fund, found you all “with one +accord in one place.” Each donation came promptly; +sometimes at much self-sacrifice, but always accompanied +with a touching letter breathing the donor’s privileged joy. + +[Page 144.] + +The granite for this church was taken from the quar- [1] +ries in New Hampshire, my native State. The money +for building “Mother’s Room,” situated in the second +story of the tower on the northeast corner of this build- +ing, and the name thereof, came from the dear children [5] +of Christian Scientists; a little band called Busy Bees, +organized by Miss Maurine R. Campbell. + +On this memorable day there are laid away a copy of +this address, the subscription list on which appear your +several names in your own handwriting, your textbook, [10] +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and +other works written by the same author, your teacher, +the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science;(4) without +pomp or pride, laid away as a sacred secret in the +heart of a rock, there to typify the prophecy, “And a man [15] +shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert +from the tempest; ... as the shadow of a great rock in +a weary land:” henceforth to whisper our Master’s +promise, “Upon this rock I will build my church; and +the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [20] + +To-day, be this hope in each of our hearts,—precious +in God’s sight as shall be the assembling of His people +in this temple, sweet as the rest that remaineth for the +righteous, and fresh as a summer morn,—that, from +earth’s pillows of stone, our visible lives are rising to [25] +God. As in the history of a seed, so may our earthly +sowing bear fruit that exudes the inspiration of the wine +poured into the cup of Christ. + +To-day I pray that divine Love, the life-giving Prin- +ciple of Christianity, shall speedily wake the long night [30] +of materialism, and the universal dawn shall break upon +the spire of this temple. The Church, more than any + +[Page 145.] + +other institution, at present is the cement of society, and [1] +it should be the bulwark of civil and religious liberty. +But the time cometh when the religious element, or Church +of Christ, shall exist alone in the affections, and need no +organization to express it. Till then, this form of godli- [5] +ness seems as requisite to manifest its spirit, as individ- +uality to express Soul and substance. + +Does a single bosom burn for fame and power? Then +when that person shall possess these, let him ask him- +self, and answer to his name in this corner-stone of our [10] +temple: Am I greater for them? And if he thinks that +he is, then is he less than man to whom God gave “do- +minion over all the earth,” less than the meek who “in- +herit the earth.” Even vanity forbids man to be vain; +and pride is a hooded hawk which flies in darkness. Over [15] +a wounded sense of its own error, let not mortal thought +resuscitate too soon. + +In our rock-bound friendship, delicate as dear, our +names may melt into one, and common dust, and their +modest sign be nothingness. Be this as it may, the visible [20] +unity of spirit remains, to quicken even dust into sweet +memorial such as Isaiah prophesied: “The wolf also shall +dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with +the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling +together; and a little child shall lead them.” [25] + +When the _hearts_ of Christian Scientists are woven to- +gether as are their names in the web of history, earth will +float majestically heaven’s heraldry, and echo the song +of angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth +peace, good will toward men.” [30] + +To The Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, and to +the dear children that my heart folds within it, let me + +[Page 146.] + +say, ’Tis sweet to remember thee, and God’s Zion, with [1] +healing on her wings. May her walls be vocal with sal- +vation; and her gates with praise! + + + + +To The First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Boston + + +_My Beloved Students_:—I cannot conscientiously lend +my counsel to direct your action on receiving or dismiss- +ing candidates. To do this, I should need to be with +you. I cannot accept hearsay, and would need to know +the circumstances and facts regarding both sides of the [10] +subject, to form a proper judgment. This is not my +present province; hence I have hitherto declined to be +consulted on these subjects, and still maintain this +position. + +These are matters of grave import; and you cannot [15] +be indifferent to this, but will give them immediate at- +tention, and be governed therein by the spirit and the +letter of this Scripture: “Whatsoever ye would that men +should do unto you, do ye even so to them.” + +I cannot be the conscience for this church; but if I [20] +were, I would gather every reformed mortal that desired +to come, into its fold, and counsel and help him to walk +in the footsteps of His flock. I feel sure that as Chris- +tian Scientists you will act, relative to this matter, up to +your highest understanding of justice and mercy. [25] + +Affectionately yours, +MARY BAKER EDDY +Feb. 12, 1895 + +[Page 147.] + + + + +The First Members Of The First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Boston, +Massachusetts + + +_My Beloved Students_:—Another year has rolled on, [3] +another annual meeting has convened, another space of +time has been given us, and has another duty been done [5] +and another victory won for time and eternity? Do you +meet in unity, preferring one another, and demonstrating +the divine Principle of Christian Science? Have you +improved past hours, and ladened them with records +worthy to be borne heavenward? Have you learned [10] +that sin is inadmissible, and indicates a small mind? +Do you manifest love for those that hate you and de- +spitefully use you? + +The man of integrity is one who makes it his constant +rule to follow the road of duty, according as Truth and [15] +the voice of his conscience point it out to him. He is not +guided merely by affections which may some time give +the color of virtue to a loose and unstable character. + +The upright man is guided by a fixed Principle, which +destines him to do nothing but what is honorable, and to [20] +abhor whatever is base or unworthy; hence we find him +ever the same,—at all times the trusty friend, the affec- +tionate relative, the conscientious man of business, the +pious worker, the public-spirited citizen. + +He assumes no borrowed appearance. He seeks no [25] +mask to cover him, for he acts no studied part; but he +is indeed what he appears to be,—full of truth, candor, +and humanity. In all his pursuits, he knows no path +but the fair, open, and direct one, and would much rather +fail of success than attain it by reproachable means. He [30] + +[Page 148.] + +never shows us a smiling countenance while he meditates [1] +evil against us in his heart. We shall never find one part +of his character at variance with another. + +Lovingly yours, +MARY BAKER EDDY [5] + +Sept. 30, 1895 + + + + +Extract From A Letter + + +The Rules and By-laws in the Manual of The First +Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, originated not in +solemn conclave as in ancient Sanhedrim. They were [10] +not arbitrary opinions nor dictatorial demands, such as +one person might impose on another. They were im- +pelled by a power not one’s own, were written at differ- +ent dates, and as the occasion required. They sprang +from necessity, the logic of events,—from the immedi- [15] +ate demand for them as a help that must be supplied to +maintain the dignity and defense of our Cause; hence +their simple, scientific basis, and detail so requisite to +demonstrate genuine Christian Science, and which will +do for the race what absolute doctrines destined for future [20] +generations might not accomplish. + + + + +To The Mother Church + + +_Beloved Brethren_:—Until recently, I was not aware +that the contribution box was presented at your Friday +evening meetings. I specially desire that you collect no +moneyed contributions from the people present on these +occasions. + +Let the invitation to this sweet converse be in the words +of the prophet Isaiah: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, + +[Page 149.] + +come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come [1] +ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without +money and without price.” + +Invite all cordially and freely to this banquet of Chris- +tian Science, this feast and flow of Soul. Ask them to [5] +bring what they possess of love and light to help leaven +your loaf and replenish your scanty store. Then, after +presenting the various offerings, and one after another +has opened his lips to discourse and distribute what God +has given him of experience, hope, faith, and under- [10] +standing, gather up the fragments, and count the baskets +full of accessions to your love, and see that nothing has +been lost. + +With love, +MARY BAKER EDDY [15] + + + + +To First Church Of Christ, Scientist, In Oconto + + +_My Beloved Brethren_:—Lips nor pen can ever ex- +press the joy you give me in parting so promptly with +your beloved pastor, Rev. Mr. Norcross, to send him to [20] +aid me. It is a refreshing demonstration of Christianity, +brotherly love, and all the rich graces of the Spirit. May +this sacrifice bring to your beloved church a vision of the +new church, that cometh down from heaven, whose altar +is a loving heart, whose communion is fellowship with [25] +saints and angels. This example of yours is a light that +cannot be hid. + +Guided by the pillar and the cloud, this little church +that built the first temple for Christian Science worship +shall abide steadfastly in the faith of Jesus’ words: “Fear [30] + +[Page 150.] + +not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to [1] +give you the kingdom.” May He soon give you a pastor; +already you have the great Shepherd of Israel watch- +ing over you. Give my forever-love to your dear church. + +Yours in bonds of Christ, +MARY BAKER G. EDDY [5] + +BOSTON, MASS., 1889 + + + + +To First Church Of Christ, Scientist, In Scranton + + +_Beloved Brethren_:—Space is no separator of hearts. [10] +Spiritually, I am with all who are with Truth, and whose +hearts today are repeating their joy that God dwelleth +in the congregation of the faithful, and loveth the gates +of Zion. + +The outlook is cheering. We have already seen the [15] +salvation of many people by means of Christian Science. +Chapels and churches are dotting the entire land. Con- +venient houses and halls can now be obtained wherein, as +whereout, Christian Scientists may worship the Father +“in spirit and in truth,” as taught by our great Master. [20] + +“If God be for us, who can be against us?” If He +be with us, the wayside is a sanctuary, and the desert a +resting-place peopled with living witnesses of the fact +that “God is Love.” + +God is universal; confined to no spot, defined by no [25] +dogma, appropriated by no sect. Not more to one than +to all, is God demonstrable as divine Life, Truth, and +Love; and His people are they that reflect Him—that +reflect Love. Again, this infinite Principle, with its uni- +versal manifestation, is all that really is or can be; [30] +hence God is our Shepherd. He guards, guides, feeds, + +[Page 151.] + +and folds the sheep of His pasture; and their ears are [1] +attuned to His call. In the words of the loving disciple, +“My sheep hear my voice,... and they follow me; +...neither shall any man pluck them out of my +hand.” [5] + +God is a consuming fire. He separates the dross from +the gold, purifies the human character, through the +furnace of affliction. Those who bear fruit He purgeth, +that they may bear more fruit. Through the sacred law, +He speaketh to the unfruitful in tones of Sinai: and, in [10] +the gospel, He saith of the barren fig-tree, “Cut it down; +why cumbereth it the ground?” + +God is our Father and our Mother, our Minister and +the great Physician: He is man’s only real relative on +earth and in heaven. David sang, “Whom have I in [15] +heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I +desire beside thee.” + +Brother, sister, beloved in the Lord, knowest thou +thyself, and art thou acquainted with God? If not, I +pray thee as a Christian Scientist, delay not to make Him [20] +thy first acquaintance. + +Glorious things are spoken of you in His Word. Ye +are a chosen people, whose God is—what? Even _All_. +May mercy and truth go before you: may the lamp of +your life continually be full of oil, and you be wedded +to the spiritual idea, Christ; then will you heal, and +teach, and preach, on the ascending scale of everlasting +Life and Love. + +Affectionately yours in Christ, +MARY BAKER EDDY [30] + +[Page 152.] + + + + +To First Church Of Christ, Scientist, In Denver + + +_Beloved Pastor and Brethren_:—“As in water face +answereth to face,” and in love continents clasp hands, so +the oneness of God includes also His presence with those [5] +whose hearts unite in the purposes of goodness. Of this +we may be sure: that thoughts winged with peace and +love breathe a silent benediction over all the earth, co- +operate with the divine power, and brood unconsciously +o’er the work of His hand. [10] + +I, as a corporeal person, am not in your midst: I, as a +dictator, arbiter, or ruler, am not present; but I, as a +mother whose heart pulsates with every throb of theirs +for the welfare of her children, am present, and rejoice +with them that rejoice. [15] + +May meekness, mercy, and love dwell forever in the +hearts of those who worship in this tabernacle: then +will they receive the heritage that God has prepared for +His people,—made ready for the pure in affection, the +meek in spirit, the worshipper in truth, the follower of [20] +good. + +Thus founded upon the rock of Christ, when storm +and tempest beat against this sure foundation, you, +safely sheltered in the strong tower of hope, faith, and +Love, are God’s nestlings; and He will hide you in His [25] +feathers till the storm has passed. Into His haven of +Soul there enters no element of earth to cast out angels, +to silence the right intuition which guides you safely +home. + +Exercise more faith in God and His spiritual means [30] + +[Page 153.] + +and methods, than in man and his material ways and [1] +means, of establishing the Cause of Christian Science. +If right yourself, God will confirm His inheritance. “Be +not weary in well doing.” Truth is restful, and Love is +triumphant. [5] + +When God went forth before His people, they were +fed with manna: they marched through the wilderness: +they passed through the Red Sea, untouched by the bil- +lows. At His command, the rock became a fountain; +and the land of promise, green isles of refreshment. In [10] +the words of the Psalmist, when “the Lord gave the word: +great was the company of those that published it.” + +God is good to Israel,—washed in the waters of +Meribah, cleansed of the flesh,—good to His Israel +encompassed not with pride, hatred, self-will, and self- [15] +justification; wherein violence covereth men as a gar- +ment, and as captives are they enchained. + +Christian Scientists bring forth the fruits of Spirit, +not flesh; and God giveth this “new name” to no man +who honors Him not by positive proof of trustworthiness. [20] +May you be able to say, “I have not cleansed my heart +in vain.” + +Sir Edwin Arnold, to whom I presented a copy of +my first edition of “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures,” writes:— [25] + + + Peace on earth and Good-will! + Souls that are gentle and still + Hear the first music of this + Far-off, infinite, Bliss! + + +So may the God of peace be and abide with this church. [30] + +Affectionately yours, +MARY BAKER EDDY + +[Page 154.] + + + + +To First Church Of Christ, Scientist, In Lawrence + + +_Beloved Brethren_:—The spreading branches of The +Church of Christ, Scientist, are fast reaching out their +broad shelter to the entire world. Your faith has not [5] +been without works,—and God’s love for His flock is +manifest in His care. He will dig about this little church, +prune its encumbering branches, water it with the dews +of heaven, enrich its roots, and enlarge its borders with +divine Love. God only waits for man’s worthiness to [10] +enhance the means and measure of His grace. You +have already proof of the prosperity of His Zion. You +sit beneath your own vine and fig-tree as the growth +of spirituality—even that vine whereof our Father is +husbandman. [15] + +It is the purpose of divine Love to resurrect the under- +standing, and the kingdom of God, the reign of har- +mony already within us. Through the word that is +spoken unto you, are you made free. Abide in His word, +and it shall abide in you; and the healing Christ will [20] +again be made manifest in the flesh—understood and +glorified. + +Honor thy Father and Mother, God. Continue in +His love. Bring forth fruit—“signs following”—that +your prayers be not hindered. Pray without ceasing. [25] +Watch diligently; never desert the post of spiritual ob- +servation and self-examination. Strive for self-abnega- +tion, justice, meekness, mercy, purity, love. Let your +light reflect Light. Have no ambition, affection, nor +aim apart from holiness. Forget not for a moment, that [30] + +[Page 155.] + +God is All-in-all—therefore, that in reality there is but [1] +one cause and effect. + +The pride of circumstance or power is the prince of +this world that has nothing in Christ. All power and +happiness are spiritual, and proceed from goodness. [5] +Sacrifice self to bless one another, even as God has +blessed you. Forget self in laboring for mankind; then +will you woo the weary wanderer to your door, win the +pilgrim and stranger to your church, and find access to +the heart of humanity. While pressing meekly on, be [10] +faithful, be valiant in the Christian’s warfare, and peace +will crown your joy. + +Lovingly yours, +MARY BAKER EDDY + + + + +To Correspondents + + +_Beloved Students_:—Because Mother has not the time +even to read all of her interesting correspondence, and +less wherein to answer it (however much she desires +thus to do), she hereby requests: First, that you, her +students’ students, who write such excellent letters to [20] +her, will hereafter, as a general rule, send them to the +editors of _The Christian Science Journal_ for publication, +and thereby give to us all the pleasure of hearing from you. + +If my own students cannot spare time to write to God, +—when they address me I shall be apt to forward their [25] +letters to Him as our common Parent, and by way of +_The Christian Science Journal_; thus fulfilling their moral +obligation to furnish some reading-matter for our denomi- +national organ. Methinks, were they to contemplate the +universal charge wherewith divine Love has entrusted us, [30] + +[Page 156.] + +in behalf of a suffering race, they would contribute oftener [1] +to the pages of this swift vehicle of scientific thought; +for it reaches a vast number of earnest readers, and seek- +ers after Truth. + +With love, +MARY BAKER EDDY + + + + +To Students + + +_Beloved Christian Scientists_:—Please send in your +contributions as usual to our _Journal_. All is well at head- +quarters, and when the mist shall melt away you will see +clearly the signs of Truth and the heaven of Love within [10] +your hearts. Let the reign of peace and harmony be +supreme and forever yours. + +I proposed to merge the adjourned meeting in the one +held at Chicago, because I saw no advantage, but great +disadvantage, in one student’s opinions or _modus oper-_ [15] +_andi_ becoming the basis for others: read “Retrospection” +on this subject. Science is absolute, and best under- +stood through the study of my works and the daily Chris- +tian demonstration thereof. It is their _materiality_ that +clogs the progress of students, and “this kind goeth not [20] +forth but by prayer and fasting.” It is materialism through +which the animal magnetizer preys, and in turn becomes +a prey. Spirituality is the basis of all true thought and +volition. Assembling themselves together, and listening +to each other amicably, or contentiously, is no aid to [25] +students in acquiring solid Christian Science. Experi- +ence and, above all, _obedience_, are the aids and tests of +growth and understanding in this direction. + +With love, +MARY B. G. EDDY [30] + +[Page 157.] + + + + +To A Student + + +_My Dear Student_:—It is a great thing to be found +worthy to suffer for Christ, Truth. Paul said, “If we +suffer, we shall also reign with him.” Reign then, my +beloved in the Lord. He that marketh the sparrow’s fall [5] +will direct thy way. + +I have written, or caused my secretary to write, to Mr. +and Mrs. Stewart, of Toronto, Canada (you will find their +card in _The C. S. Journal_,) that you or your lawyer will +ask them all questions important for your case, and re- [10] +quested that they furnish all information possible. They +will be glad to help you. Every true Christian Scientist +will feel “as bound with you,” but as free in Truth and +Love, safe under the shadow of His wing. + +Yes, my student, my Father is your Father; and He [15] +helps us most when help is most needed, for He is the +ever-present help. + +I am glad that you are in good cheer. I enclose you +the name of Mr. E. A. Kimball, C. S. D., of Chicago,— +5020 Woodlawn Ave.,—for items relative to Mrs. Steb- [20] +bin’s case. + +“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; +and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth +thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the +noonday.” This I know, for God is for us. [25] + +Write me when you need me. Error has no power +but to destroy itself. It _cannot harm you_; it cannot stop +the eternal currents of Truth. + +Ever with love, +MARY B. G. EDDY + +[Page 158.] + + + + +To A Student + + +_My Beloved Student:_—In reply to your letter I will +say: God’s ways are not as our ways; but higher far +than the heavens above the earth is His wisdom above +ours. When I requested you to be ordained, I little [5] +thought of the changes about to be made. When I insisted +on your speaking without notes, I little knew that +so soon another change in your pulpit would be demanded. +But now, after His messenger has obeyed the message +of divine Love, comes the interpretation thereof. But you [10] +see we both had first to obey, and to do this through faith, +not sight. + +The meaning of it all, as now shown, is this: when +you were bidden to be ordained, it was in reward for your +faithful service, thus to honor it. The second command, [15] +to drop the use of notes, was to rebuke a lack of faith in +divine help, and to test your humility and obedience in +bearing this cross. + +All God’s servants are minute men and women. As +of old, I stand with sandals on and staff in hand, wait- [20] +ing for the watchword and the revelation of what, how, +whither. Let us be faithful and obedient, and God will +do the rest. + +In the April number of _The Christian Science Journal_ +you will find the forthcoming completion (as I now think) [25] +of the divine directions sent out to the churches. It is +satisfactory to note, however, that the order therein given +corresponds to the example of our Master. Jesus was +not ordained as our churches ordain ministers. We +have no record that he used notes when preaching. He + +[Page 159.] + +spake in their synagogues, reading the Scriptures and [1] +expounding them; and God has given to this age “Science +and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” to elucidate +His Word. + +You may read this letter to your church, and then [5] +send it to Rev. Mr. Norcross, and he will understand. +May the God of all grace give you peace. + +With love, +MARY BAKER EDDY + + + + +Extract From A Christmas Letter + + +_Beloved Students_:—My heart has many rooms: one +of these is sacred to the memory of my students. Into +this upper chamber, where all things are pure and of +good report,—into this sanctuary of love,—I often +retreat, sit silently, and ponder. In this chamber is [15] +memory’s wardrobe, where I deposit certain recollec- +tions and rare grand collections once in each year. This +is my Christmas storehouse. Its goods commemorate, +—not so much the Bethlehem babe, as the man of God, +the risen Christ, and the adult Jesus. Here I deposit [20] +the gifts that my dear students offer at the shrine of +Christian Science, and to their lone Leader. Here I talk +once a year,—and this is a bit of what I said in 1890: +“O glorious Truth! O Mother Love! how has the sense +of Thy children grown to behold _Thee_! and how have [25] +many weary wings sprung upward! and how has our +Model, Christ, been unveiled to us, and to the age!” + +I look at the rich devices in embroidery, silver, gold, +and jewels,—all gifts of Christian Scientists from all +parts of our nation, and some from abroad,—then al- [30] + +[Page 160.] + +most marvel at the power and permanence of affection [1] +under the _régime_ of Christian Science! Never did grati- +tude and love unite more honestly in uttering the word +_thanks_, than ours at this season. But a mother’s love +behind words has no language; it may give no material [5] +token, but lives steadily on, through time and circum- +stance, as part and paramount portion of her being. + +Thus may our lives flow on in the same sweet rhythm +of head and heart, till they meet and mingle in bliss super- +nal. There is a special joy in knowing that one is gaining [10] +constantly in the knowledge of Truth and divine Love. +Your progress, the past year, has been marked. It satis- +fies my present hope. Of this we rest assured, that every +trial of our faith in God makes us stronger and firmer in +understanding and obedience. [15] + +Lovingly yours, +MARY BAKER G. EDDY + + + + + +CHAPTER VI. SERMONS. + + +[Page 161.] + + + + +A Christmas Sermon + + +Delivered in Chickering Hall, Boston, Mass., on the +Sunday Before Christmas, 1888 + +SUBJECT: _The Corporeal and Incorporeal Saviour_ + +TEXT: _For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the_ [5] +_government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called_ +_Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The_ +_Prince of Peace._—ISAIAH ix. 6. + +To the senses, Jesus was the son of man: in Science, +man is the son of God. The material senses could [10] +not cognize the Christ, or Son of God: it was Jesus’ +approximation to this state of being that made him the +Christ-Jesus, the Godlike, the anointed. + +The prophet whose words we have chosen for our +text, prophesied the appearing of this dual nature, as [15] +both human and divinely endowed, the personal and the +impersonal Jesus. + +The only record of our Master as a public benefactor, +or personal Saviour, opens when he was thirty years of +age; owing in part, perhaps, to the Jewish law that none [20] +should teach or preach in public under that age. Also, +it is natural to conclude that at this juncture he was +specially endowed with the Holy Spirit; for he was given +the new name, Messiah, or Jesus Christ,—the God- + +[Page 162.] + +anointed; even as, at times of special enlightenment, [1] +Jacob was called Israel; and Saul, Paul. + +The third event of this eventful period,—a period of +such wonderful spiritual import to mankind!—was the +advent of a higher Christianity. [5] + +From this dazzling, God-crowned summit, the Naza- +rene stepped suddenly before the people and their schools +of philosophy; Gnostic, Epicurean, and Stoic. He must +stem these rising angry elements, and walk serenely over +their fretted, foaming billows. [10] + +Here the cross became the emblem of Jesus’ history; +while the central point of his Messianic mission was peace, +good will, love, teaching, and healing. + +Clad with divine might, he was ready to stem the tide +of Judaism, and prove his power, derived from Spirit, to [15] +be supreme; lay himself as a lamb upon the altar of +materialism, and therefrom rise to his nativity in Spirit. + +The corporeal Jesus bore our infirmities, and through +his stripes we are healed. He was the Way-shower, and +suffered in the flesh, showing mortals how to escape from [20] +the sins of the flesh. + +There was no incorporeal Jesus of Nazareth. The +spiritual man, or Christ, was after the similitude of the +Father, without corporeality or finite mind. + +Materiality, worldliness, human pride, or self-will, by [25] +demoralizing his motives and Christlikeness, would have +dethroned his power as the Christ. + +To carry out his holy purpose, he must be oblivious of +human self. + +Of the lineage of David, like him he went forth, simple [30] +as the shepherd boy, to disarm the Goliath. Panoplied +in the strength of an exalted hope, faith, and understand- + +[Page 163.] + +ing, he sought to conquer the three-in-one of error: the [1] +world, the flesh, and the devil. + +Three years he went about doing good. He had for +thirty years been preparing to heal and teach divinely; +but his three-years mission was a marvel of glory: its [5] +chaplet, a grave to mortal sense dishonored—from which +sprang a sublime and everlasting victory! + +He who dated time, the Christian era, and spanned +eternity, was the meekest man on earth. He healed +and taught by the wayside, in humble homes: to arrant [10] +hypocrite and to dull disciples he explained the Word +of God, which has since ripened into interpretation +through Science. + +His words were articulated in the language of a de- +clining race, and committed to the providence of God. [15] +In no one thing seemed he less human and more divine +than in his unfaltering faith in the immortality of Truth. +Referring to this, he said, “Heaven and earth shall +pass away, but my words shall not pass away!” and +they have not: they still live; and are the basis of divine [20] +liberty, the medium of Mind, the hope of the race. + +Only three years a personal Saviour! yet the founda- +tions he laid are as eternal as Truth, the chief corner-stone. + +After his brief brave struggle, and the crucifixion of [25] +the corporeal man, the incorporeal Saviour—the Christ +or spiritual idea which leadeth into all Truth—must +needs come in Christian Science, demonstrating the spir- +itual healing of body and mind. + +This idea or divine essence was, and is, forever about [30] +the Father’s business; heralding the Principle of health, +holiness, and immortality. + +[Page 164.] + +Its divine Principle interprets the incorporeal idea, or [1] +Son of God; hence the incorporeal and corporeal are +distinguished thus: the former is the spiritual idea that +represents divine good, and the latter is the human +presentation of goodness in man. The Science of Chris- [5] +tianity, that has appeared in the ripeness of time, re- +veals the incorporeal Christ; and this will continue +to be seen more clearly until it be acknowledged, under- +stood,—and the Saviour, which is Truth, be compre- +hended. [10] + +To the vision of the Wisemen, this spiritual idea of the +Principle of man or the universe, appeared as a star. At +first, the babe Jesus seemed small to mortals; but from +the mount of revelation, the prophet beheld it from the +beginning as the Redeemer, who would present a wonder- [15] +ful manifestation of Truth and Love. + +In our text Isaiah foretold, “His name shall be called +Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting +Father, The Prince of Peace.” + +As the Wisemen grew in the understanding of Christ, [20] +the spiritual idea, it grew in favor with them. Thus it +will continue, as it shall become understood, until man +be found in the actual likeness of his Maker. Their +highest human concept of the man Jesus, that portrayed +him as the only Son of God, the only begotten of the [25] +Father, full of grace and Truth, will become so magnified +to human sense, by means of the lens of Science, as to +reveal man collectively, as individually, to be the son of +God. + +The limited view of God’s ideas arose from the testimony [30] +of the senses. Science affords the evidence that God is the +Father of man, of all that is real and eternal. This spir- + +[Page 165.] + +itual idea that the personal Jesus demonstrated, casting [1] +out evils and healing, more than eighteen centuries ago, +disappeared by degrees; both because of the ascension +of Jesus, in which it was seen that he had grown beyond +the human sense of him, and because of the corruption of [5] +the Church. + +The last appearing of Truth will be a wholly spiritual +idea of God and of man, without the fetters of the flesh, or +corporeality. This infinite idea of infinity will be, is, as +eternal as its divine Principle. The daystar of this appear- [10] +ing is the light of Christian Science—the Science which +rends the veil of the flesh from top to bottom. The light +of this revelation leaves nothing that is material; neither +darkness, doubt, disease, nor death. The material cor- +poreality disappears; and individual spirituality, perfect [15] +and eternal, appears—never to disappear. + +The truth uttered and lived by Jesus, who passed on +and left to mortals the rich legacy of what he said and +did, makes his followers the heirs to his example; but +they can neither appreciate nor appropriate his treasures [20] +of Truth and Love, until lifted to these by their own +growth and experiences. His goodness and grace pur- +chased the means of mortals’ redemption from sin; but, +they never paid the price of sin. This cost, none but the +sinner can pay; and accordingly as this account is settled [25] +with divine Love, is the sinner ready to avail himself of +the rich blessings flowing from the teaching, example, +and suffering of our Master. + +The secret stores of wisdom must be discovered, their +treasures reproduced and given to the world, before man [30] +can truthfully conclude that he has been found in the +order, mode, and virgin origin of man according to divine + +[Page 166.] + +Science, which alone demonstrates the divine Principle [1] +and spiritual idea of being. + +The monument whose finger points upward, commemorates +the earthly life of a martyr; but this is not all of +the philanthropist, hero, and Christian. The Truth he [5] +has taught and spoken lives, and moves in our midst a +divine afflatus. Thus it is that the ideal Christ—or +impersonal infancy, manhood, and womanhood of Truth +and Love—is still with us. + +And what of _this_ child?—“For unto us a child _is_ [10] +born, unto us a son _is_ given: and the government shall +be upon his shoulder.” + +This child, or spiritual idea, has evolved a more ready +ear for the overture of angels and the scientific under- +standing of Truth and Love. When Christ, the incor- [15] +poreal idea of God, was nameless, and a Mary knew not +how to declare its spiritual origin, the idea of man was +not understood. The Judæan religion even required the +Virgin-mother to go to the temple and be purified, for +having given birth to the corporeal child Jesus, whose [20] +origin was more spiritual than the senses could inter- +pret. Like the leaven that a certain woman hid in three +measures of meal, the Science of God and the spiritual +idea, named in this century Christian Science, is leaven- +ing the lump of human thought, until the whole shall [25] +be leavened and all materialism disappear. This action +of the divine energy, even if not acknowledged, has +come to be seen as diffusing richest blessings. This +spiritual idea, or Christ, entered into the minutiæ of the +life of the personal Jesus. It made him an honest man, [30] +a good carpenter, and a good man, before it could make +him the glorified. + +[Page 167.] + +The material questions at this age on the reappearing [1] +of the infantile thought of God’s man, are after the man- +ner of a mother in the flesh, though their answers per- +tain to the spiritual idea, as in Christian Science:— + +Is he deformed? [5] + +He is wholly symmetrical; the one altogether lovely. + +Is the babe a son, or daughter? + +Both son and daughter: even the compound idea of +all that resembles God. + +How much does he weigh? [10] + +His substance outweighs the material world. + +How old is he? + +Of his days there is no beginning and no ending. + +What is his name? + +Christ Science. [15] + +Who are his parents, brothers, and sisters? + +His Father and Mother are divine Life, Truth, and +Love; and they who do the will of his Father are his is +brethren. + +Is he heir to an estate? [20] + +“The government shall be upon his shoulder!” He +has dominion over the whole earth; and in admiration +of his origin, he exclaims, “I thank Thee, O Father, Lord +of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things +from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto [25] +babes!” + +Is he wonderful? + +His works thus prove him. He giveth power, peace, +and holiness; he exalteth the lowly; he giveth liberty + +[Page 168.] + +to the captive, health to the sick, salvation from sin to [1] +the sinner—and overcometh the world! + +Go, and tell what things ye shall see and hear: how +the blind, spiritually and physically, receive sight; how +the lame, those halting between two opinions or hob- [5] +bling on crutches, walk; how the physical and moral +lepers are cleansed; how the deaf—those who, having +ears, hear not, and are afflicted with “tympanum on the +brain”—hear; how the dead, those buried in dogmas +and physical ailments, are raised; that to the poor— [10] +the lowly in Christ, not the man-made rabbi—the +gospel is preached. Note this: only such as are pure +in spirit, emptied of vainglory and vain knowledge, re- +ceive Truth. + +Here ends the colloquy; and a voice from heaven seems [15] +to say, “Come and see.” + +The nineteenth-century prophets repeat, “Unto us a +son is given.” + +The shepherds shout, “We behold the appearing of +the star!”—and the pure in heart clap their hands. [20] + + + + +Editor’s Extracts From Sermon + + +TEXT: _Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of_ +_God._—MATT. xxii. 29. + +_The Christian Science Journal_ reported as follows:— + +The announcement that the Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy [25] +would speak before the Scientist denomination on the +afternoon of October 26, drew a large audience. Haw- +thorne Hall was densely packed, and many had to go +away unable to obtain seats. The distinguished speaker +began by saying:— [30] + +[Page 169.] + +Within Bible pages she had found all the divine Science [1] +she preaches; noticing, all along the way of her researches +therein, that whenever her thoughts had wandered into +the bypaths of ancient philosophies or pagan literatures, +her spiritual insight had been darkened thereby, till [5] +she was God-driven back to the inspired pages. Early +training, through the misinterpretation of the Word, +had been the underlying cause of the long years of in- +validism she endured before Truth dawned upon her +understanding, through right interpretation. With the [10] +understanding of Scripture-meanings, had come physical +rejuvenation. The uplifting of spirit was the upbuild- +ing of the body. + +She affirmed that the Scriptures cannot properly be +interpreted in a literal way. The truths they teach must [15] +be spiritually discerned, before their message can be +borne fully to our minds and hearts. That there is a +dual meaning to every Biblical passage, the most eminent +divines of the world have concluded; and to get at the +highest, or metaphysical, it is necessary rightly to read [20] +what the inspired writers left for our spiritual instruction. +The literal rendering of the Scriptures makes them noth- +ing valuable, but often is the foundation of unbelief and +hopelessness. The metaphysical rendering is health and +peace and hope for all. The literal or material reading is [25] +the reading of the carnal mind, which is enmity toward +God, Spirit. + +Taking several Bible passages, Mrs. Eddy showed how +beautiful and inspiring are the thoughts when rightly +understood. “Let the dead bury their dead; follow [30] +thou me,” was one of the passages explained metaphysi- +cally. In their fullest meaning, those words are salvation + +[Page 170.] + +from the belief of death, the last enemy to be overthrown; [1] +for by following Christ truly, resurrection and life im- +mortal are brought to us. If we follow him, to us there +can be no dead. Those who know not this, may still +believe in death and weep over the graves of their beloved; [5] +but with him is Life eternal, which never changes to +death. The eating of bread and drinking of wine at the +Lord’s supper, merely symbolize the spiritual refresh- +ment of God’s children having rightly read His Word, +whose entrance into their understanding is healthful life. [10] +This is the reality behind the symbol. + +So, also, she spoke of the hades, or hell of Scripture, +saying, that we make our own heavens and our own hells, +by right and wise, or wrong and foolish, conceptions of +God and our fellow-men. Jesus interpreted all spirit- [15] +ually: “I have bread to eat that ye know not of,” he +said. The bread he ate, which was refreshment of divine +strength, we also may all partake of. + +The material record of the Bible, she said, is no more +important to our well-being than the history of Europe [20] +and America; but the spiritual application bears upon +our eternal life. The method of Jesus was purely meta- +physical; and no other method is Christian Science. In +the passage recording Jesus’ proceedings with the blind +man (Mark viii.) he is said to have spat upon the dust. [25] +Spitting was the Hebrew method of expressing the utmost +contempt. So Jesus is recorded as having expressed +contempt for the belief of material eyes as having any +power to see. Having eyes, ye see not; and ears, ye hear +not, he had just told them. The putting on of hands [30] +mentioned, she explained as the putting forth of power. +“Hand,” in Bible usage, often means spiritual power. + +[Page 171.] + +“His hand is not shortened that it cannot save,” can [1] +never be wrested from its true meaning to signify human +hands. Jesus’ first effort to realize Truth was not wholly +successful; but he rose to the occasion with the second +attempt, and the blind saw clearly. To suppose that [5] +Jesus did actually anoint the blind man’s eyes with his +spittle, is as absurd as to think, according to the report +of some, that Christian Scientists sit in back-to-back +seances with their patients, for the divine power to filter +from vertebræ to vertebræ. When one comes to the age [10] +with spiritual translations of God’s messages, expressed +in literal or physical terms, our right action is not to con- +demn and deny, but to “try the spirits” and see what +manner they are of. This does not mean communing +with spirits supposed to have departed from the earth, [15] +but the seeking out of the basis upon which are accom- +plished the works by which the new teacher would prove +his right to be heard. By these signs are the true disciples +of the Master known: the sick are healed; to the poor +the gospel is preached. [20] + + + + +Extract From A Sermon Delivered In Boston, January 18, 1885 + + +TEXT: _The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman_ +_took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was + leavened._—MATT. +xiii. 33. + +Few people at present know aught of the Science of +mental healing; and so many are obtruding upon the +public attention their ignorance or false knowledge in +the name of Science, that it behooves all clad in the shin- +ing mail to keep bright their invincible armor; to keep [30] + +[Page 172.] + +their demonstrations modest, and their claims and lives [1] +steadfast in Truth. + +Dispensing the Word charitably, but separating the +tares from the wheat, let us declare the positive and +the negative of metaphysical Science; what it is, and [5] +what it is not. Intrepid, self-oblivious Protestants in +a higher sense than ever before, let us meet and defeat +the claims of sense and sin, regardless of the bans or +clans pouring in their fire upon us; and white-winged +charity, brooding over all, shall cover with her feathers [10] +the veriest sinner. + +Divine and unerring Mind measures man, until the +three measures be accomplished, and he arrives at +fulness of stature; for “the Lord God omnipotent +reigneth.” [15] + +Science is divine: it is neither of human origin nor of +human direction. That which is termed “natural science,” +the evidences whereof are taken in by the five personal +senses, presents but a finite, feeble sense of the infinite +law of God; which law is written on the heart, received [20] +through the affections, spiritually understood, and dem- +onstrated in our lives. + +This law of God is the Science of mental healing, +spiritually discerned, understood, and obeyed. + +Mental Science, and the five personal senses, are at [25] +war; and peace can only be declared on the side of im- +mutable right,—the health, holiness, and immortality +of man. To gain this scientific result, the first and funda- +mental rule of Science must be understood and adhered +to; namely, the oft-repeated declaration in Scripture [30] +that God is good; hence, good is omnipotent and +omnipresent. + +[Page 173.] + +Ancient and modern philosophy, human reason, or [1] +man’s theorems, misstate mental Science, its Principle +and practice. The most enlightened sense herein sees +nothing but a law of matter. + +Who has ever learned of the schools that there is but [5] +one Mind, and that this is God, who healeth all our sick- +ness and sins? + +Who has ever learned from the schools, pagan phi- +losophy, or scholastic theology, that Science is the law of +Mind and not of matter, and that this law has no relation [10] +to, or recognition of, matter? + +Mind is its own great cause and effect. Mind is God, +omnipotent and omnipresent. What, then, of an oppo- +site so-called science, which says that man is both matter +and mind, that Mind is in matter? Can the infinite [15] +be within the finite? And must not man have preexisted +in the All and Only? Does an evil mind exist without +space to occupy, power to act, or vanity to pretend that +it is man? + +If God is Mind and fills all space, is everywhere, matter [20] +is nowhere and sin is obsolete. If Mind, God, is all-power +and all-presence, man is not met by another power +and presence, that—obstructing his intelligence— +pains, fetters, and befools him. The perfection of man +is intact; whence, then, is something besides Him that [25] +is not the counterpart but the counterfeit of man’s creator? +Surely not from God, for He made man in His own +likeness. Whence, then, is the atom or molecule called +matter? Have attraction and cohesion formed it? +But are these forces laws of matter, or laws of [30] +Mind? + +For matter to be matter, it must have been self-created. + +[Page 174.] + +Mind has no more power to evolve or to create matter [1] +than has good to produce evil. Matter is a misstatement +of Mind; it is a lie, claiming to talk and disclaim against +Truth; idolatry, having other gods; evil, having presence +and power over omnipotence! [5] + +Let us have a clearing up of abstractions. Let us +come into the presence of Him who removeth all iniqui- +ties, and healeth all our diseases. Let us attach our sense +of Science to what touches the religious sentiment within +man. Let us open our affections to the Principle that [10] +moves all in harmony,—from the falling of a sparrow +to the rolling of a world. Above Arcturus and his sons, +broader than the solar system and higher than the at- +mosphere of our planet, is the Science of mental +healing. [15] + +What is the kingdom of heaven? The abode of Spirit, +the realm of the real. No matter is there, no night is +there—nothing that maketh or worketh a lie. Is this +kingdom afar off? No: it is ever-present here. The +first to declare against this kingdom is matter. Shall [20] +that be called heresy which pleads for Spirit—the All of +God, and His omnipresence? + +The kingdom of heaven is the reign of divine Science: +it is a mental state. Jesus said it is within you, and +taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come;” but he did [25] +not teach us to pray for death whereby to gain heaven. +We do not look into darkness for light. Death can never +usher in the dawn of Science that reveals the spiritual +facts of man’s Life here and now. + +The leaven which a woman took and hid in three [30] +measures of meal, is Divine Science; the Comforter; +the Holy Ghost that leadeth into all Truth; the “still, + +[Page 175.] + +small voice” that breathes His presence and power, cast- [1] +ing out error and healing the sick. And woman, the +spiritual idea, takes of the things of God and showeth +them unto the creature, until the whole sense of being +is leavened with Spirit. The three measures of meal [5] +may well be likened to the false sense of life, substance, +and intelligence, which says, I am sustained by bread, +matter, instead of Mind. The spiritual leaven of divine +Science changes this false sense, giving better views of +Life; saying, Man’s Life is God; and when this shall [10] +appear, it shall be “the substance of things hoped for.” + +The measure of Life shall increase by every spiritual +touch, even as the leaven expands the loaf. Man shall +keep the feast of Life, not with the old leaven of the +scribes and Pharisees, neither with “the leaven of malice [15] +and wickedness; but the unleavened bread of sincerity +and truth.” + +Thus it can be seen that the Science of mental healing +must be understood. There are false Christs that would +“deceive, if it were possible, the very elect,” by institut- [20] +ing matter and its methods in place of God, Mind. Their +supposition is, that there are other minds than His; that +one mind controls another; that one belief takes the +place of another. But this ism of to-day has nothing +to do with the Science of mental healing which acquaints [25] +us with God and reveals the one perfect Mind and His +laws. + +The attempt to mix matter and Mind, to work by +means of both animal magnetism and divine power, is +literally saying, Have we not in thy name cast out devils, [30] +and done many wonderful works? + +But remember God in all thy ways, and thou shalt + +[Page 176.] + +find the truth that breaks the dream of sense, letting the [1] +harmony of Science that declares _Him_, come in with +healing, and peace, and perfect love. + + + + +Sunday Services on July Fourth + + +EXTEMPORE REMARKS + +The great theme so deeply and solemnly expounded +by the preacher, has been exemplified in all ages, but +chiefly in the great crises of nations or of the human race. +It is then that supreme devotion to Principle has espe- +cially been called for and manifested. It is then that we [10] +learn a little more of the nothingness of evil, and more +of the divine energies of good, and strive valiantly for the +liberty of the sons of God. + +The day we celebrate reminds us of the heroes and +heroines who counted not their own lives dear to them, [15] +when they sought the New England shores, not as the +flying nor as conquerors, but, steadfast in faith and love, +to build upon the rock of Christ, the true idea of God— +the supremacy of Spirit and the nothingness of matter. +When first the Pilgrims planted their feet on Plymouth [20] +Rock, frozen ritual and creed should forever have melted +away in the fire of love which came down from heaven. +The Pilgrims came to establish a nation in true freedom, +in the rights of conscience. + +But what of ourselves, and our times and obligations? [25] +Are we duly aware of our own great opportunities and +responsibilities? Are we prepared to meet and improve +them, to act up to the acme of divine energy wherewith +we are armored? + +[Page 177.] + +Never was there a more solemn and imperious call [1] +than God makes to us all, right here, for fervent de- +votion and an absolute consecration to the greatest and +holiest of all causes. The hour is come. The great +battle of Armageddon is upon us. The powers of evil [5] +are leagued together in secret conspiracy against the +Lord and against His Christ, as expressed and opera- +tive in Christian Science. Large numbers, in desperate +malice, are engaged day and night in organizing action +against us. Their feeling and purpose are deadly, and [10] +they have sworn enmity against the lives of our standard- +bearers. + +What will you do about it? Will you be equally in +earnest for the truth? Will you doff your lavender-kid +zeal, and become real and consecrated warriors? Will [15] +you give yourselves wholly and irrevocably to the great +work of establishing the truth, the gospel, and the Science +which are necessary to the salvation of the world from +error, sin, disease, and death? Answer at once and practi- +cally, and answer aright! [20] + + + + +Easter Services + + +The editor of _The Christian Science Journal_ said that +at three o’clock, the hour for the church service proper, +the pastor, Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, accompanied +by Rev. D. A. Easton, who was announced to preach [25] +the sermon, came on the platform. The pastor introduced +Mr. Easton as follows:— + +_Friends_:—The homesick traveller in foreign lands +greets with joy a familiar face. I am constantly home- +sick for heaven. In my long journeyings I have met [30] + +[Page 178.] + +one who comes from the place of my own sojourning [1] +for many years,—the Congregational Church. He is +a graduate of Bowdoin College and of Andover The- +ological School. He has left his old church, as I did, +from a yearning of the heart; because he was not sat- [5] +isfied with a manlike God, but wanted to become a God- +like man. He found that the new wine could not be +put into old bottles without bursting them, and he came +to us. + +Mr. Easton then delivered an interesting discourse [10] +from the text, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek +those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the +right hand of God” (Col. iii. 1), which he prefaced by +saying:— + +“I think it was about a year ago that I strayed into [15] +this hall, a stranger, and wondered what sort of people +you were, and of what you were worshippers. If any +one had said to me that to-day I should stand before +you to preach a sermon on Christian Science, I should +have replied, “Much learning”—or something else— [20] +“hath made thee mad.” If I had not found Christian +Science a new gospel, I should not be standing before you: +if I had not found it truth, I could not have stood up +again _to_ preach, here or elsewhere.” + +At the conclusion of the sermon, the pastor again came [25] +forward, and added the following:— + +My friends, I wished to be excused from speaking +to-day, but will yield to circumstances. In the flesh, we +are as a partition wall between the old and the new; +between the old religion in which we have been educated, [30] +and the new, living, impersonal Christ-thought that has +been given to the world to-day. + +[Page 179.] + +The old churches are saying, “He is not here;” and, [1] +“Who shall roll away the stone?” + +The stone has been rolled away by human suffer- +ing. The first rightful desire in the hour of loss, when +believing we have lost sight of Truth, is to know where [5] +He is laid. This appeal resolves itself into these +questions:— + +Is our consciousness in matter or in God? Have we +any other consciousness than that of good? If we have, +He is saying to us to-day, “Adam, where art thou?” We [10] +are wrong if our consciousness is in sin, sickness, and +death. This is the old consciousness. + +In the new religion the teaching is, “He is not here; +Truth is not in matter; he is risen; Truth has become +more to us,—more true, more spiritual.” [15] + +Can we say this to-day? Have we left the conscious- +ness of sickness and sin for that of health and +holiness? + +What is it that seems a stone between us and the +resurrection morning? [20] + +It is the belief of mind in matter. We can only come +into the spiritual resurrection by quitting the old con- +sciousness of Soul in sense. + +These flowers are floral apostles. God does all this +through His followers; and He made every flower in [25] +Mind before it sprang from the earth: yet we look into +matter and the earth to give us these smiles of God! + +We must lay aside material consciousness, and then +we can perceive Truth, and say with Mary, “Rabboni!” +—Master! [30] + +In 1866, when God revealed to me this risen Christ, +this Life that knows no death, that saith, “Because he + +[Page 180.] + +lives, I live,” I awoke from the dream of Spirit in the [1] +flesh so far as to take the side of Spirit, and strive to cease +my warfare. + +When, through this consciousness, I was delivered from +the dark shadow and portal of death, my friends were [5] +frightened at beholding me restored to health. + +A dear old lady asked me, “How is it that you are +restored to us? Has Christ come again on earth?” + +“Christ never left,” I replied; “Christ is Truth, and +Truth is always here,—the impersonal Saviour.” [10] + +Then another person, more material, met me, and I +said, in the words of my Master, “Touch me not.” I +shuddered at her material approach; then my heart went +out to God, and I found the open door from this sepulchre +of matter. [15] + +I _love_ the Easter service: it speaks to me of Life, and +not of death. + +Let us do our work; then we shall have part in his +resurrection. + + + + +Bible Lessons + + +_But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the_ +_sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born,_ +_not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but + of_ +_God._—JOHN i. 12, 13. + +Here, the apostle assures us that man has power to [25] +become the son of God. In the Hebrew text, the word +“son” is defined variously; a month is called the son +of a year. This term, as applied to man, is used in both +a material and a spiritual sense. The Scriptures speak +of Jesus as the Son of God and the Son of man; but [30] + +[Page 181.] + +Jesus said to call no man father; “for one is your Father,” [1] +even God. + +Is man’s spiritual sonship a personal gift to man, or +is it the reality of his being, in divine Science? Man’s +knowledge of this grand verity gives him power to dem- [5] +onstrate his divine Principle, which in turn is requisite +in order to understand his sonship, or unity with God, +good. A personal requirement of blind obedience to +the law of being, would tend to obscure the order of +Science, unless that requirement should express the claims [10] +of the divine Principle. Infinite Principle and infinite +Spirit must be one. What avail, then, to quarrel over +what is the person of Spirit,—if we recognize infinitude +as personality,—for who can tell what is the form of +infinity? When we understand man’s true birthright, that [15] +he is “born, not ... of the will of the flesh, nor of the +will of man, but of God,” we shall understand that man +is the offspring of Spirit, and not of the flesh; recognize +him through spiritual, and not material laws; and regard +him as spiritual, and not material. His sonship, referred [20] +to in the text, is his spiritual relation to Deity: it is not, +then, a personal gift, but is the order of divine Science. +The apostle urges upon our acceptance this great fact: +“But as many as received him, to them gave he power +to become the sons of God.” Mortals will lose their sense [25] +of mortality—disease, sickness, sin, and death—in +the proportion that they gain the sense of man’s spirit- +ual preexistence as God’s child; as the offspring of +good, and not of God’s opposite,—evil, or a fallen +man. [30] + +John the Baptist had a clear discernment of divine +Science: being born not of the human will or flesh, he + +[Page 182.] + +antedated his own existence, began spiritually instead [1] +of materially to reckon himself logically; hence the im- +possibility of putting him to death, only in belief, through +violent means or material methods. + +“As many as received him;” that is, as many as per- +ceive man’s actual existence in and of his divine Princi- [5] +ple, receive the Truth of existence; and these have no +other God, no other Mind, no other origin; therefore, in +time they lose their false sense of existence, and find +their adoption with the Father; to wit, the redemption [10] +of the body. Through divine Science man gains the +power to become the son of God, to recognize his perfect +and eternal estate. + +“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of +the flesh.” This passage refers to man’s primal, spirit- [15] +ual existence, created neither from dust nor carnal desire. +“Nor of the will of man.” Born of no doctrine, +no human faith, but beholding the truth of being; even +the understanding that man was never lost in Adam, +since he is and ever was the image and likeness of God, [20] +good. But no mortal hath seen the spiritual man, more +than he hath seen the Father. The apostle indicates +no personal plan of a personal Jehovah, partial and finite; +but the possibility of all finding their place in God’s great +love, the eternal heritage of the Elohim, His sons and [25] +daughters. The text is a metaphysical statement of existence +as Principle and idea, wherein man and his Maker +are inseparable and eternal. + +When the Word is made flesh,—that is, rendered +practical,—this eternal Truth will be understood; and [30] +sickness, sin, and death will yield to it, even as they did +more than eighteen centuries ago. The lusts of the flesh + +[Page 183.] + +and the pride of life will then be quenched in the divine [1] +Science of being; in the ever-present good, omnipotent +Love, and eternal Life, that know no death, In the great +forever, the verities of being exist, and must be acknowl- +edged and demonstrated. Man must love his neighbor [5] +as himself, and the power of Truth must be seen and +felt in health, happiness, and holiness: then it will be +found that Mind is All-in-all, and there is no matter to +cope with. + +Man is free born: he is neither the slave of sense, nor a [10] +silly ambler to the so-called pleasures and pains of self- +conscious matter. Man is God’s image and likeness; +whatever is possible to God, is possible to man _as God’s_ +_reflection_. Through the transparency of Science we learn +this, and receive it: learn that man can fulfil the Scrip- [15] +tures in every instance; that if he open his mouth it shall +be filled—not by reason of the schools, or learning, but +by the natural ability, that reflection already has bestowed +on him, to give utterance to Truth. + +“Who hath believed our report?” Who understands [20] +these sayings? He to whom the arm of the Lord is re- +vealed; to whom divine Science unfolds omnipotence, +that equips man with divine power while it shames human +pride. Asserting a selfhood apart from God, is a denial +of man’s spiritual sonship; for it claims another father. [25] +As many as do receive a knowledge of God through +Science, will have power to reflect His power, in proof of +man’s “dominion over all the earth.” He is bravely +brave who dares at this date refute the evidence of material +sense with the facts of Science, and will arrive at the true [30] +status of man because of it. The material senses would +make man, that the Scriptures declare reflects his Maker, + +[Page 184.] + +the very opposite of that Maker, by claiming that God is [1] +Spirit, while man is matter; that God is good, but man is +evil; that Deity is deathless, but man dies. Science and +sense conflict, from the revolving of worlds to the death +of a sparrow. + +The Word will be made flesh and dwell among mortals, +only when man reflects God in body as well as in mind. +The child born of a woman has the formation of his +parents; the man born of Spirit is spiritual, not material. +Paul refers to this when speaking of presenting our bodies [10] +holy and acceptable, which is our reasonable service; +and this brings to remembrance the Hebrew strain, +“Who healeth all thy diseases.” + +If man should say of the power to be perfect which he +possesses, “I am the power,” he would trespass upon [15] +divine Science, yield to material sense, and lose his power; +even as when saying, “I have the power to sin and be +sick,” and persisting in believing that he is sick and a +sinner. If he says, “I am of God, therefore good,” yet +persists in evil, he has denied the power of Truth, and [20] +must suffer for this error until he learns that all power is +good because it is of God, and so destroys his self-de- +ceived sense of power in evil. The Science of being gives +back the lost likeness and power of God as the seal of +man’s adoption. Oh, for that light and love ineffable, [25] +which casteth out all fear, all sin, sickness, and death; +that seeketh not her own, but another’s good; that saith +Abba, Father, and _is_ born of God! + +John came baptizing with water. He employed a type +of physical cleanliness to foreshadow metaphysical purity, [30] +even mortal mind purged of the animal and human, and +submerged in the humane and divine, giving back the + +[Page 185.] + +lost sense of man in unity with, and reflecting, his Maker. [1] +None but the pure in heart shall see God,—shall be able +to discern fully and demonstrate fairly the divine Principle +of Christian Science. The will of God, or power of Spirit, +is made manifest as Truth, and through righteousness,— [5] +not as or through matter,—and it strips matter of all +claims, abilities or disabilities, pains or pleasures. Self- +renunciation of all that constitutes a so-called material +man, and the acknowledgment and achievement of his +spiritual identity as the child of God, is Science that [10] +opens the very flood-gates of heaven; whence good +flows into every avenue of being, cleansing mortals of +all uncleanness, destroying all suffering, and demon- +strating the true image and likeness. There is no other +way under heaven whereby we can be saved, and man [15] +be clothed with might, majesty, and immortality. + +“As many as received him,”—as accept the truth +of being,—“to them gave he power to become the sons +of God.” The spiritualization of our sense of man opens +the gates of paradise that the so-called material senses [20] +would close, and reveals man infinitely blessed, upright, +pure, and free; having no need of statistics by which to +learn his origin and age, or to measure his manhood, or to +know how much of a man he ever has been: for, “as +many as received him, to them gave he power to become [25] +the sons of God.” + +_And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul;_ +_the last Adam was made a quickening spirit._—1 COR. xv. 45. + +When reasoning on this subject of man with the Corin- +thian brethren, the apostle first spake from their stand- [30] +point of thought; namely, that creation is material: + +[Page 186.] + +he was not at this point giving the history of the spiritual [1] +man who originates in God, Love, who created man +in His own image and likeness. In the creation of Adam +from dust,—in which Soul is supposed to enter the +embryo-man after his birth,—we see the material self- [5] +constituted belief of the Jews as referred to by St. Paul. +Their material belief has fallen far below man’s original +standard, the spiritual man made in the image and like- +ness of God; for this erring belief even separates its +conception of man from God, and ultimates in the opposite [10] +of _im_mortal man, namely, in a sick and sinning +mortal. + +We learn in the Scriptures, as in divine Science, that +God made all; that He is the universal Father and Mother +of man; that God is divine Love: therefore divine Love [15] +is the divine Principle of the divine idea named man; +in other words, the spiritual Principle of spiritual man. +Now let us not lose this Science of man, but gain it clearly; +then we shall see that man cannot be separated from +his perfect Principle, God, inasmuch as an idea cannot [20] +be torn apart from its fundamental basis. This scien- +tific knowledge affords self-evident proof of immortality; +proof, also, that the Principle of man cannot produce a +less perfect man than it produced in the beginning. A +material sense of existence is not the scientific fact of [25] +being; whereas, the spiritual sense of God and His universe +is the immortal and true sense of being. + +As the apostle proceeds in this line of thought, he +undoubtedly refers to the last Adam represented by the +Messias, whose demonstration of God restored to mortals [30] +the lost sense of man’s perfection, even the sense of the +real man in God’s likeness, who restored this sense by + +[Page 187.] + +the spiritual regeneration of both mind and body,— [1] +casting out evils, _healing the sick_, and raising the dead. +The man Jesus demonstrated over sin, sickness, disease, +and death. The great Metaphysician wrought, over and +above every sense of matter, into the proper sense of the [5] +possibilities of Spirit. He established health and har- +mony, the perfection of mind and body, as the reality of +man; while discord, as seen in disease and death, was to +him the opposite of man, hence the unreality; even as in +Science a chord is manifestly the reality of music, and [10] +discord the unreality. This rule of harmony must be ac- +cepted as true relative to man. + +The translators of the older Scriptures presuppose a +material man to be the first man, solely because their +transcribing thoughts were not lifted to the inspired sense [15] +of the spiritual man, as set forth in original Holy Writ. +Had both writers and translators in that age fully com- +prehended the later teachings and demonstrations of +our human and divine Master, the Old Testament might +have been as spiritual as the New. [20] + +The origin, substance, and life of man are one, and +that one is God,—Life, Truth, Love. The self-existent, +perfect, and eternal are God; and man is their reflection +and glory. Did the substance of God, Spirit, become a +clod, in order to create a sick, sinning, dying man? The [25] +primal facts of being are eternal; they are never extin- +guished in a night of discord. + +That man must be evil before he can be good; dying, +before deathless; material, before spiritual; sick and a +sinner in order to be healed and saved, is but the declara- [30] +tion of the material senses transcribed by pagan religion- +ists, by wicked mortals such as crucified our Master,— + +[Page 188.] + +whose teachings opposed the doctrines of Christ that [1] +demonstrated the opposite, Truth. + +Man is as perfect now, and henceforth, and forever, +as when the stars first sang together, and creation joined +in the grand chorus of harmonious being. It is the trans- +lator, not the original Word, who presents as being first [5] +that which appears second, material, and mortal; and +as last, that which is primal, spiritual, and eternal. Be- +cause of human misstatement and misconception of God +and man, of the divine Principle and idea of being, there [10] +seems to be a war between the flesh and Spirit, a contest +between Truth and error; but the apostle says, “There +is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in +Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the +Spirit.” [15] + +On our subject, St. Paul first reasons upon the basis +of what is seen, the effects of Truth on the material senses; +thence, up to the unseen, the testimony of spiritual sense; +and right there he leaves the subject. + +Just there, in the intermediate line of thought, is where [20] +the present writer found it, when she discovered Christian +Science. And she has _not_ left it, but continues the ex- +planation of the power of Spirit up to its infinite meaning, +its allness. The recognition of this power came to her +through a spiritual sense of the real, and of the unreal [25] +or mortal sense of things; not that there is, or can +be, an actual change in the realities of being, but +that we can discern more of them. At the moment +of her discovery, she knew that the last Adam, namely, +the true likeness of God, was the first, the only man. [30] +This knowledge did become to her “a quickening +spirit;” for she beheld the meaning of those words + +[Page 189.] + +of our Master, “The last shall be first, and the first [1] +last.” + +When, as little children, we are receptive, become +willing to accept the divine Principle and rule of being, +as unfolded in divine Science, the interpretation therein +will be found to be the Comforter that leadeth into all +truth. [5] + +The meek Nazarene’s steadfast and true knowledge of +preexistence, of the nature and the inseparability of God +and man,—made him mighty. Spiritual insight of [10] +Truth and Love antidotes and destroys the errors of flesh, +and brings to light the true reflection: man as God’s +image, or “the first man,” for Christ plainly declared, +through Jesus, “Before Abraham was, I am.” + +The supposition that Soul, or Mind, is breathed into [15] +matter, is a pantheistic doctrine that presents a false +sense of existence, and the quickening spirit takes it +away: revealing, in place thereof, the power and per- +fection of a released sense of Life in God and Life _as_ +God. The Scriptures declare Life to be the infinite I [20] +AM,—not a dweller in matter. For man to know Life +as it is, namely God, the eternal good, gives him not +merely a sense of existence, but an accompanying con- +sciousness of spiritual power that subordinates matter +and destroys sin, disease, and death. This, Jesus demon- [25] +strated; insomuch that St. Matthew wrote, “The people +were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them +as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” This +spiritual power, healing sin and sickness, was not con- +fined to the first century; it extends to all time, inhabits [30] +eternity, and demonstrates Life without beginning or +end. + +[Page 190.] + +Atomic action is Mind, not matter. It is neither the [1] +energy of matter, the result of organization, nor the out- +come of life infused into matter: it is infinite Spirit, Truth, +Life, defiant of error or matter. Divine Science demon- +strates Mind as dispelling a false sense and giving the [5] +true sense of itself, God, and the universe; wherein the +mortal evolves not the immortal, nor does the material +ultimate in the spiritual; wherein man is coexistent with +Mind, and is the recognized reflection of infinite Life and +Love. [10] + +_And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to_ +_pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake._—LUKE xi. 14. + +The meaning of the term “devil” needs yet to be +learned. Its definition as an individual is too limited +and contradictory. When the Scripture is understood, [15] +the spiritual signification of its terms will be understood, +and will contradict the interpretations that the senses +give them; and these terms will be found to include the +inspired meaning. + +It could not have been a person that our great Master [20] +cast out of another person; therefore the devil herein +referred to was an impersonal evil, or whatever worketh +ill. In this case it was the evil of dumbness, an error of +material sense, cast out by the spiritual truth of being; +namely, that speech belongs to Mind instead of matter, [25] +and the wrong power, or the lost sense, must yield to the +right sense, and exist in Mind. + +In the Hebrew, “devil” is denominated Abaddon; in +the Greek, Apollyon, serpent, liar, the god of this world, +etc. The apostle Paul refers to this personality of evil [30] +as “the god of this world;” and then defines this god + +[Page 191.] + +as “dishonesty, craftiness, handling the word of God [1] +deceitfully.” The Hebrew embodies the term “devil” +in another term, serpent,—which the senses are supposed +to take in,—and then defines this serpent as “more +subtle than all the beasts of the field.” Subsequently, [5] +the ancients changed the meaning of the term, to their +sense, and then the serpent became a symbol of wisdom. + +The Scripture in John, sixth chapter and seventieth +verse, refers to a wicked man as the devil: “Have not +I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” Accord- [10] +ing to the Scripture, if devil is an individuality, there is +more than one devil. In Mark, ninth chapter and thirty- +eighth verse, it reads: “Master, we saw one casting out +devils in thy name.” Here is an assertion indicating +the existence of more than one devil; and by omitting the [15] +first letter, the name of his satanic majesty is found +to be evils, apparent wrong traits, that Christ, Truth, +casts out. By no possible interpretation can this passage +mean several individuals cast out of another individual +no bigger than themselves. The term, being here em- [20] +ployed in its plural number, destroys all consistent sup- +position of the existence of one personal devil. Again, +our text refers to the devil as dumb; but the original +devil was a great talker, and was supposed to have out- +talked even Truth, and carried the question with Eve. [25] +Also, the original texts define him as an “accuser,” a +“calumniator,” which would be impossible if he were +speechless. These two opposite characters ascribed to +him could only be possible as evil beliefs, as different +phases of sin or disease made manifest. [30] + +Let us obey St. Paul’s injunction to reject fables, and +accept the Scriptures in their broader, more spiritual + +[Page 192.] + +and practical sense. When we speak of a good man, we [1] +do not mean that man is God because the Hebrew term +for Deity was “good,” and _vice versa_; so, when referring +to a liar, we mean not that he is a personal devil, because +the original text defines devil as a “liar.” [5] + +It is of infinite importance to man’s spiritual progress, +and to his demonstration of Truth in casting out error, +—sickness, sin, disease, and death, in all their forms,— +that the terms and nature of Deity and devil be understood. + +_He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and_ +_greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father._— +JOHN xiv. 12. + +Such are the words of him who spake divinely, well +knowing the omnipotence of Truth. The Hebrew bard +saith, “His name shall endure forever: His name shall [15] +be continued as long as the sun.” Luminous with the +light of divine Science, his words reveal the great Principle +of a full salvation. Neither can we question the practi- +cability of the divine Word, who have learned its adapta- +bility to human needs, and man’s ability to prove the [20] +truth of prophecy. + +The fulfilment of the grand verities of Christian healing +belongs to every period; as the above Scripture plainly +declares, and as primitive Christianity confirms. Also, +the last chapter of Mark is emphatic on this subject; [25] +making healing a condition of salvation, that extends to +all ages and throughout all Christendom. Nothing can +be more conclusive than this: “And these signs shall +follow them that believe; ... they shall lay hands on +the sick, and they shall recover.” This declaration of [30] +our Master settles the question; else we are entertaining + +[Page 193.] + +the startling inquiries, Are the Scriptures inspired? Are [1] +they true? Did Jesus mean what he said? + +If this be the cavil, we reply in the affirmative that the +Scripture is true; that Jesus did mean all, and even more +than he said or deemed it safe to say at that time. His [5] +words are unmistakable, for they form propositions of +self-evident demonstrable truth. Doctrines that deny +the substance and practicality of all Christ’s teachings +cannot be evangelical; and evangelical religion can be +established on no other claim than the authenticity of [10] +the Gospels, which support unequivocally the proof that +Christian Science, as defined and practised by Jesus, +heals the sick, casts out error, and will destroy death. + +Referring to The Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, +of which I am pastor, a certain clergyman charitably [15] +expressed it, “the so-called Christian Scientists.” + +I am thankful even for his allusion to truth; it being +a modification of silence on this subject, and also of what +had been said when critics attacked me for supplying the +word Science to Christianity,—a word which the people [20] +are now adopting. + +The next step for ecclesiasticism to take, is to admit +that all Christians are properly called Scientists who +follow the commands of our Lord and His Christ, Truth; +and that no one is following his full command without [25] +this enlarged sense of the spirit and power of Christianity. +“He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do,” +is a radical and unmistakable declaration of the right and +power of Christianity to heal; for this is Christlike, +and includes the understanding of man’s capabilities and [30] +spiritual power. The condition insisted upon is, first, +“belief;” the Hebrew of which implies understanding. + +[Page 194.] + +How many to-day believe that the power of God equals [1] +even the power of a drug to heal the sick! Divine Science +reveals the Principle of this power, and the rule whereby +sin, sickness, disease, and death are destroyed; and God +is this Principle. Let us, then, seek this Science; that we [5] +may know Him better, and love Him more. + +Though a man were begirt with the Urim and Thum- +mim of priestly office, yet should deny the validity or +permanence of Christ’s command to heal in all ages, +this denial would dishonor that office and misinterpret [10] +evangelical religion. Divine Science is not an interpo- +lation of the Scriptures, but is redolent with love, health, +and holiness, for the whole human race. It only needs +the prism of this Science to divide the rays of Truth, and +bring out the entire hues of Deity, which scholastic theol- [15] +ogy has hidden. The lens of Science magnifies the divine +power to human sight; and we then see the supremacy +of Spirit and the nothingness of matter. + +The context of the foregoing Scriptural text explains +Jesus’ words, “because I go unto my Father.” “Because” [20] +in following him, you understand God and _how_ to turn +from matter to Spirit for healing; _how_ to leave self, the +sense material, for the sense spiritual; _how_ to accept +God’s power and guidance, and become imbued with +divine Love that casts out all fear. Then are you bap- [25] +tized in the Truth that destroys all error, and you receive +the sense of Life that knows no death, and you _know_ that +God is the only Life. + +To reach the consummate naturalness of the Life that +is God, good, we must comply with the first condition [30] +set forth in the text, namely, believe; in other words, +understand God sufficiently to exclude all faith in any + +[Page 195.] + +other remedy than Christ, the Truth that antidotes all [1] +error. Thence will follow the absorption of all action, +motive, and mind, into the rules and divine Principle of +metaphysical healing. + +Whosoever learns the letter of Christian Science but [5] +possesses not its spirit, is unable to demonstrate this +Science; or whosoever hath the spirit without the letter, +is held back by reason of the lack of understanding. Both +the spirit and the letter are requisite; and having these, +every one can prove, in some degree, the validity of those [10] +words of the great Master, “For the Son of man is come +to save that which was lost.” + +It has been said that the New Testament does not au- +thorize us to expect the ministry of healing at this period. + +We ask what is the authority for such a conclusion, [15] +the premises whereof are not to be found in the Scriptures. +The Master’s divine logic, as seen in our text, contradicts +this inference,—these are his words: “He that believeth +on me, the works that I do shall he do also.” That per- +fect syllogism of Jesus has but one correct premise and [20] +conclusion, and it cannot fall to the ground beneath the +stroke of unskilled swordsmen. He who never unsheathed +his blade to try the edge of truth in Christian Science, is +unequal to the conflict, and unfit to judge in the case; +the shepherd’s sling would slay this Goliath. I once be- [25] +lieved that the practice and teachings of Jesus relative to +healing the sick, were spiritual abstractions, impractical +and impossible to us; but deed, not creed, and practice +more than theory, have given me a higher sense of +Christianity. [30] + +The “I” will go to the Father when meekness, purity, +and love, informed by divine Science, the Comforter, + +[Page 196.] + +lead to the one God: then the ego is found not in [1] +matter but in Mind, for there is but one God, one +Mind; and man will then claim no mind apart from God. +Idolatry, the supposition of the existence of many minds +and more than one God, has repeated itself in all manner [5] +of subtleties through the entire centuries, saying as in +the beginning, “Believe in me, and I will make you as +gods;” that is, I will give you a separate mind from God +(good), named evil; and this so-called mind shall open +your eyes and make you know evil, and thus become [10] +material, sensual, evil. But bear in mind that a serpent +said that; therefore that saying came not from Mind, +good, or Truth. God was not the author of it; hence the +words of our Master: “He is a liar, and the father of it;” +also, the character of the votaries to “other gods” which [15] +sprung from it. + +The sweet, sacred sense and permanence of man’s +unity with his Maker, in Science, illumines our present +existence with the ever-presence and power of God, good. +It opens wide the portals of salvation from sin, sickness, [20] +and death. When the Life that is God, good, shall ap- +pear, “we shall be like Him;” we shall do the works of +Christ, and, in the words of David, “the stone which the +builders refused is become the head stone of the corner,” +because the “I” does go unto the Father, the ego does [25] +arise to spiritual recognition of being, and is exalted,— +not through death, but Life, God understood. + +_Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved._—ACTS +xvi. 31. + +The Scriptures require more than a simple admission [30] +and feeble acceptance of the truths they present; they + +[Page 197.] + +require a living faith, that so incorporates their lessons [1] +into our lives that these truths become the motive-power +of every act. + +ur chosen text is one more frequently used than +many others, perhaps, to exhort people to turn from sin [5] +and to strive after holiness; but we fear the full import +of this text is not yet recognized. It means a _full_ salva- +tion,—man saved from sin, sickness, and death; for, +unless this be so, no man can be wholly fitted for heaven +in the way which Jesus marked out and bade his followers [10] +pursue. + +In order to comprehend the meaning of the text, let +us see what it is to believe. It means more than an opinion +entertained concerning Jesus as a man, as the Son of God, +or as God; such an action of mind would be of no more [15] +help to save from sin, than would a belief in any historical +event or person. But it does mean so to understand the +beauty of holiness, the character and divinity which Jesus +presented in his power to heal and to save, that it will +compel us to pattern after both; in other words, to “let [20] +this Mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” +(Phil. ii. 5.) + +Mortal man believes in, but does not understand life +in, Christ. He believes there is another power or intelli- +gence that rules over a kingdom of its own, that is both [25] +good and evil; yea, that is divided against itself, and there- +fore cannot stand. This belief breaks the First Command- +ment of God. + +Let man abjure a theory that is in opposition to God, +recognize God as omnipotent, having all-power; and, [30] +placing his trust in this grand Truth, and working from +no other Principle, he can neither be sick nor forever a + +[Page 198.] + +sinner. When wholly governed by the one perfect Mind, [1] +man has no sinful thoughts and will have no desire +to sin. + +To arrive at this point of unity of Spirit, God, one must +commence by turning away from material gods; denying [5] +material so-called laws and material sensation,—or mind +in matter, in its varied forms of pleasure and pain. This +must be done with the understanding that matter has no +sense; thus it is that consciousness silences the mortal +claim to life, substance, or mind in matter, with the words [10] +of Jesus: “When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his +own.” (John viii. 44.) + +When tempted to sin, we should know that evil pro- +ceedeth not from God, good, but is a false belief of the +personal senses; and if we deny the claims of these senses [15] +and recognize man as governed by God, Spirit, not by +material laws, the temptation will disappear. + +On this Principle, disease also is treated and healed. +We know that man’s body, as matter, has no power to +govern itself; and a belief of disease is as much the prod- [20] +uct of mortal thought as sin is. All suffering is the fruit +of the tree of the knowledge of _both_ good and evil; of +adherence to the “doubleminded” senses, to some belief, +fear, theory, or bad deed, based on physical material law, +so-called as opposed to good,—all of which is corrected [25] +alone by Science, divine Principle, and its spiritual laws. +Suffering is the supposition of another intelligence than +God; a belief in self-existent evil, opposed to good; and +in whatever seems to punish man for doing good,— +by saying he has overworked, suffered from inclement [30] +weather, or violated a law of matter in doing good, there- +fore he must suffer for it. + +[Page 199.] + +God does not reward benevolence and love with pen- [1] +alties; and because of this, we have the right to deny the +supposed power of matter to do it, and to allege that only +mortal, erring mind can claim to do thus, and dignify the +result with the name of law: thence comes man’s ability [5] +to annul his own erring mental law, and to hold himself +amenable only to moral and spiritual law,—God’s gov- +ernment. By so doing, male and female come into their +rightful heritage, “into the glorious liberty of the children +of God.” [10] + +_Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,_ +_in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake._—2 COR. +xii. 10. + +The miracles recorded in the Scriptures illustrate the +life of Jesus as nothing else can; but they cost him the [15] +hatred of the rabbis. The rulers sought the life of Jesus; +they would extinguish whatever denied and defied their +superstition. We learn somewhat of the qualities of the +divine Mind through the human Jesus. The power of +his transcendent goodness is manifest in the control it [20] +gave him over the qualities opposed to Spirit which mor- +tals name matter. + +The Principle of these marvellous works is divine; but +the actor was human. This divine Principle is discerned +in Christian Science, as we advance in the spiritual under- [25] +standing that all substance, Life, and intelligence are +God. The so-called miracles contained in Holy Writ are +neither supernatural nor preternatural; for God is good, +and goodness is more natural than evil. The marvellous +healing-power of goodness is the outflowing life of Chris- [30] +tianity, and it characterized and dated the Christian era. + +[Page 200.] + +It was the consummate naturalness of Truth in the [1] +mind of Jesus, that made his healing easy and instan- +taneous. Jesus regarded good as the normal state of man, +and evil as the abnormal; holiness, life, and health as +the better representatives of God than sin, disease, and [5] +death. The master Metaphysician understood omnipo- +tence to be All-power: because Spirit was to him All- +in-all, matter was palpably an error of premise and +conclusion, while God was the only substance, Life, +and intelligence of man. [10] + +The apostle Paul insists on the rare rule in Christian +Science that we have chosen for a text; a rule that is sus- +ceptible of proof, and is applicable to every stage and +state of human existence. The divine Science of this rule +is quite as remote from the general comprehension of man- [15] +kind as are the so-called miracles of our Master, and for +the sole reason that it is their basis. The foundational +facts of Christian Science are gathered from the supremacy +of spiritual law and its antagonism to every supposed ma- +terial law. Christians to-day should be able to say, with [20] +the sweet sincerity of the apostle, “I take pleasure in +infirmities,”—I enjoy the touch of weakness, pain, and +all suffering of the flesh, _because_ it compels me to seek the +remedy for it, and to find happiness, apart from the per- +sonal senses. The holy calm of Paul’s well-tried hope [25] +met no obstacle or circumstances paramount to the tri- +umph of a reasonable faith in the omnipotence of good, +involved in its divine Principle, God: the so-called pains +and pleasures of matter were alike unreal to Jesus; for he +regarded matter as only a vagary of mortal belief, and sub- [30] +dued it with this understanding. + +The abstract statement that all is Mind, supports the + +[Page 201.] + +entire wisdom of the text; and this statement receives [1] +the mortal scoff only because it meets the immortal de- +mands of Truth. The Science of Paul’s declaration re- +solves the element misnamed matter into its original sin, +or human will; that will which would oppose bringing the [5] +qualities of Spirit into subjection to Spirit. Sin brought +death; and death is an element of matter, or material +falsity, never of Spirit. + +When Jesus reproduced his body after its burial, he +revealed the myth or material falsity of evil; its power- [10] +lessness to destroy good, and the omnipotence of the +Mind that knows this: he also showed forth the error +and nothingness of supposed life in matter, and the great +somethingness of the good we possess, which is of Spirit, +and immortal. [15] + +Understanding this, Paul took pleasure in infirmities, +for it enabled him to triumph over them,—he declared +that “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath +made me free from the law of sin and death;” he took +pleasure in “reproaches” and “persecutions,” because [20] +they were so many proofs that he had wrought the prob- +lem of being beyond the common apprehension of sinners; +he took pleasure in “necessities,” for they tested and de- +veloped latent power. + +We protect our dwellings more securely after a robbery, [25] +and our jewels have been stolen; so, after losing those +jewels of character,—temperance, virtue, and truth,— +the young man is awakened to bar his door against further +robberies. + +Go to the bedside of pain, and there you can demon- [30] +strate the triumph of good that has pleasure in infirmities; +because it illustrates through the flesh the divine power + +[Page 202.] + +of Spirit, and reaches the basis of all supposed miracles; [1] +whereby the sweet harmonies of Christian Science are +found to correct the discords of sense, and to lift man’s +being into the sunlight of Soul. + + + “The chamber where the good man meets his fate [5] + Is privileged beyond the walks of common life, + Quite on the verge of heaven.” + + + + + +CHAPTER VII. POND AND PURPOSE. + + +[Page 203.] + +Beloved Students:—In thanking you for your [1] +gift of the pretty pond contributed to Pleasant View, +in Concord, New Hampshire, I make no distinction be- +tween my students and your students; for here, thine +becomes mine through gratitude and affection. [5] + +From my tower window, as I look on this smile of +Christian Science, this gift from my students and their +students, it will always mirror their love, loyalty, and +good works. Solomon saith, “As in water face answereth +to face, so the heart of man to man.” [10] + +The waters that run among the valleys, and that +you have coaxed in their course to call on me, have +served the imagination for centuries. Theology religiously +bathes in water, medicine applies it physically, hydrology +handles it with so-called science, and metaphysics appro- [15] +priates it topically as type and shadow. Metaphysically, +baptism serves to rebuke the senses and illustrate Christian +Science. + +_First:_ The baptism of repentance is indeed a stricken +state of human consciousness, wherein mortals gain [20] +severe views of themselves; a state of mind which rends +the veil that hides mental deformity. Tears flood the eyes, + +[Page 204.] + +agony struggles, pride rebels, and a mortal seems a [1] +monster, a dark, impenetrable cloud of error; and falling +on the bended knee of prayer, humble before God, he +cries, “Save, or I perish.” Thus Truth, searching the +heart, neutralizes and destroys error. [5] + +This mental period is sometimes chronic, but oftener +acute. It is attended throughout with doubt, hope, sorrow, +joy, defeat, and triumph. When the good fight is fought, +error yields up its weapons and kisses the feet of Love, +while white-winged peace sings to the heart a song of [10] +angels. + +_Second:_ The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the spirit +of Truth cleansing from all sin; giving mortals new +motives, new purposes, new affections, all pointing up- +ward. This mental condition settles into strength, free- [15] +dom, deep-toned faith in God; and a marked loss of faith +in evil, in human wisdom, human policy, ways, and means. +It develops individual capacity, increases the intellectual +activities, and so quickens moral sensibility that the +great demands of spiritual sense are recognized, and they [20] +rebuke the material senses, holding sway over human +consciousness. + +By purifying human thought, this state of mind per- +meates with increased harmony all the minutiae of human +affairs. It brings with it wonderful foresight, wisdom, [25] +and power; it unselfs the mortal purpose, gives steadi- +ness to resolve, and success to endeavor. Through the +accession of spirituality, God, the divine Principle of +Christian Science, literally governs the aims, ambition, +and acts of the Scientist. The divine ruling gives prudence [30] +and energy; it banishes forever all envy, rivalry, +evil thinking, evil speaking and acting; and mortal + +[Page 205.] + +mind, thus purged, obtains peace and power outside of [1] +itself. + +This practical Christian Science is the divine Mind, +the incorporeal Truth and Love, shining through the mists +of materiality and melting away the shadows called sin, [5] +disease, and death. + +In mortal experience, the fire of repentance first sepa- +rates the dross from the gold, and reformation brings +the light which dispels darkness. Thus the operation +of the spirit of Truth and Love on the human thought, [10] +in the words of St. John, “shall take of mine and show it +unto you.” + +_Third:_ The baptism of Spirit, or final immersion of +human consciousness in the infinite ocean of Love, is the +last scene in corporeal sense. This omnipotent act drops [15] +the curtain on material man and mortality. After this, +man’s identity or consciousness reflects only Spirit, good, +whose visible being is invisible to the physical senses: eye +hath not seen it, inasmuch as it is the disembodied in- +dividual Spirit-substance and consciousness termed in [20] +Christian metaphysics the ideal man—forever permeated +with eternal life, holiness, heaven. This order of Science +is the chain of ages, which maintain their obvious corre- +spondence, and unites all periods in the divine design. +Mortal man’s repentance and absolute abandonment of [25] +sin finally dissolves all supposed material life or physical +sensation, and the corporeal or mortal man disappears +forever. The encumbering mortal molecules, called man, +vanish as a dream; but man born of the great Forever, +lives on, God-crowned and blest. [30] + +Mortals who on the shores of time learn Christian +Science, and live what they learn, take rapid transit to + +[Page 206.] + +heaven,—the hinge on which have turned all revolu- [1] +tions, natural, civil, or religious, the former being servant +to the latter,—from flux to permanence, from foul to +pure, from torpid to serene, from extremes to intermediate. +Above the waves of Jordan, dashing against the receding [5] +shore, is heard the Father and Mother’s welcome, saying +forever to the baptized of Spirit: “This is my beloved +Son.” What but divine Science can interpret man’s +eternal existence, God’s allness, and the scientific inde- +structibility of the universe? [10] + +The advancing stages of Christian Science are gained +through growth, not accretion; idleness is the foe of +progress. And scientific growth manifests no weakness, +no emasculation, no illusive vision, no dreamy absentness, +no insubordination to the laws that be, no loss nor lack [15] +of what constitutes true manhood. + +Growth is governed by intelligence; by the active, +all-wise, law-creating, law-disciplining, law-abiding Prin- +ciple, God. The real Christian Scientist is constantly +accentuating harmony in word and deed, mentally and [20] +orally, perpetually repeating this diapason of heaven: +“Good is my God, and my God is good. Love is my God, +and my God is Love.” + +Beloved students, you have entered the path. Press +patiently on; God is good, and good is the reward of all [25] +who diligently seek God. Your growth will be rapid, if +you love good supremely, and understand and obey the +Way-shower, who, going before you, has scaled the steep +ascent of Christian Science, stands upon the mount of +holiness, the dwelling-place of our God, and bathes in the [30] +baptismal font of eternal Love. + +As you journey, and betimes sigh for rest “beside the + +[Page 207.] + +still waters,” ponder this lesson of love. Learn its pur- [1] +pose;and in hope and faith, where heart meets heart +reciprocally blest, drink with me the living waters of the +spirit of my life-purpose,—to impress humanity with +the genuine recognition of practical, operative Christian [5] +Science. + + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT + + +[Page 208.] + + + + +“Thy Will Be Done” + + +This is the law of Truth to error, “Thou shalt surely +die.” This law is a divine energy. Mortals cannot +prevent the fulfilment of this law; it covers all sin and +its effects. God is All, and by virtue of this nature and [5] +allness He is cognizant only of good. Like a legislative +bill that governs millions of mortals whom the legislators +know not, the universal law of God has no knowledge +of evil, and enters unconsciously the human heart and +governs it. [10] + +Mortals have only to submit to the law of God, come +into sympathy with it, and to let His will be done. This +unbroken motion of the law of divine Love gives, to the +weary and heavy-laden, rest. But who is willing to do +His will or to let it be done? Mortals obey their own [15] +wills, and so disobey the divine order. + +All states and stages of human error are met and +mastered by divine Truth’s negativing error in the way +of God’s appointing. Those “whom the Lord loveth He +chasteneth.” His rod brings to view His love, and inter- [20] +prets to mortals the gospel of healing. David said, “Be- +fore I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I +kept Thy word.” He who knows the end from the be- + +[Page 209.] + +ginning, attaches to sin due penalties as its antidotes and [1] +remedies. + +Who art thou, vain mortal, that usurpest the preroga- +tive of divine wisdom, and wouldst teach God not to punish +sin? that wouldst shut the mouth of His prophets, [5] +and cry, “Peace, peace; when there is no peace,”—yea, +that healest the wounds of my people slightly? + +The Principle of divine Science being Love, the divine +rule of this Principle demonstrates Love, and proves that +human belief fulfils the law of belief, and dies of its own [10] +physics. Metaphysics also demonstrates this Principle of +cure when sin is self-destroyed. Short-sighted physics +admits the so-called pains of matter that destroy its more +dangerous pleasures. + +Insomnia compels mortals to learn that neither obliv- [15] +ion nor dreams can recuperate the life of man, whose +Life is God, for God neither slumbers nor sleeps. The +loss of gustatory enjoyment and the ills of indigestion +tend to rebuke appetite and destroy the peace of a false +sense. False pleasure will be, is, chastened; it has no [20] +right to be at peace. To suffer for having “other gods +before me,” is divinely wise. Evil passions die in their +own flames, but are punished before extinguished. Peace +has no foothold on the false basis that evil should be +concealed and that life and happiness should still attend [25] +it. Joy is self-sustained; goodness and blessedness are +one: suffering is self-inflicted, and good is the master of +evil. + +To this scientific logic and the logic of events, egotism +and false charity say, “ ‘Not so, Lord;’ it is wise to [30] +cover iniquity and punish it not, then shall mortals have +peace.” Divine Love, as unconscious as incapable of + +[Page 210.] + +error, pursues the evil that hideth itself, strips off its [1] +disguises, and—behold the result: evil, uncovered, is +self-destroyed. + +Christian Science never healed a patient without prov- +ing with mathematical certainty that error, when found [5] +out, is two-thirds destroyed, and the remaining third +kills itself. Do men whine over a nest of serpents, and +post around it placards warning people not to stir up +these reptiles because they have stings? Christ said, +“They shall take up serpents;” and, “Be ye therefore [10] +wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” The wisdom +of a serpent is to hide itself. The wisdom of God, as +revealed in Christian Science, brings the serpent out of +its hole, handles it, and takes away its sting. Good deeds +are harmless. He who has faith in woman’s special adapt- [15] +ability to lead on Christian Science, will not be shocked +when she puts her foot on the head of the serpent, as it +biteth at the heel. + +Intemperance begets a belief of disordered brains, +membranes, stomach, and nerves; and this belief serves [20] +to uncover and kill this lurking serpent, intemperance, +that hides itself under the false pretense of human need, +innocent enjoyment, and a medical prescription. The +belief in venereal diseases tears the black mask from the +shameless brow of licentiousness, torments its victim, and [25] +thus may save him from his destroyer. + +Charity has the courage of conviction; it may suffer +long, but has neither the cowardice nor the foolhardiness +to cover iniquity. Charity is Love; and Love opens +the eyes of the blind, rebukes error, and casts it out. [30] +Charity never flees before error, lest it should suffer +from an encounter. Love your enemies, or you will not + +[Page 211.] + +lose them; and if you love them, you will help to reform [1] +them. + +Christ points the way of salvation. His mode is not +cowardly, uncharitable, nor unwise, but it teaches mor- +tals to handle serpents and cast out evil. Our own vision [5] +must be clear to open the eyes of others, else the blind +will lead the blind and both shall fall. The sickly charity +that supplies criminals with bouquets has been dealt +with summarily by the good judgment of people in +the old Bay State. Inhuman medical bills, class legisla- [10] +tion, and Salem witchcraft, are not indigenous to her +soil. + +“Out of the depths have I delivered thee.” The +drowning man just rescued from the merciless wave is +unconscious of suffering. Why, then, do you break his [15] +peace and cause him to suffer in coming to life? Because +you wish to save him from death. Then, if a criminal +is at peace, is he not to be pitied and brought back to +life? Or, are you afraid to do this lest he suffer, trample +on your pearls of thought, and turn on you and rend you? [20] +Cowardice is selfishness. When one protects himself at +his neighbor’s cost, let him remember, “Whosoever will +save his life shall lose it.” He risks nothing who obeys +the law of God, and shall find the Life that cannot be +lost. [25] + +Our Master said, “Ye shall drink indeed of my cup.” +Jesus stormed sin in its citadels and kept peace with +God. He drank this cup giving thanks, and he said to +his followers, “Drink ye all of it,”—drink it all, and let +all drink of it. He lived the spirit of his prayer,—“Thy [30] +kingdom come.” Shall we repeat our Lord’s Prayer +when the heart denies it, refuses to bear the cross and + +[Page 212.] + +to fulfil the conditions of our petition? Human policy [1] +is a fool that saith in his heart, “No God”—a caressing +Judas that betrays you, and commits suicide. This god- +less policy never knows what happiness is, and how it is +obtained. [5] + +Jesus did his work, and left his glorious career for our +example. On the shore of Gennesaret he tersely re- +minded his students of their worldly policy. They had +suffered, and seen their error. This experience caused +them to remember the reiterated warning of their Mas- [10] +ter and cast their nets on the right side. When they +were fit to be blest, they received the blessing. The +ultimatum of their human sense of ways and means +ought to silence ours. One step away from the direct +line of divine Science cost them—what? A speedy re- [15] +turn under the reign of difficulties, darkness, and unre- +quited toil. + +The currents of human nature rush in against the right +course; health, happiness, and life flow not into one of +their channels. The law of Love saith, “Not my will, [20] +but Thine, be done,” and Christian Science proves that +human will is lost in the divine; and Love, the white +Christ, is the remunerator. + +If, consciously or unconsciously, one is at work in a +wrong direction, who will step forward and open his [25] +eyes to see this error? He who _is_ a Christian Scientist, +who has cast the beam out of his own eye, speaks plainly +to the offender and tries to show his errors to him before +letting another know it. + +Pitying friends took down from the cross the fainting [30] +form of Jesus, and buried it out of their sight. His dis- +ciples, who had not yet drunk of his cup, lost sight of + +[Page 213.] + +him; they could not behold his immortal being in the [1] +form of Godlikeness. + +All that I have written, taught, or lived, that is good, +flowed through cross-bearing, self-forgetfulness, and my +faith in the right. Suffering or Science, or both, in the [5] +proportion that their instructions are assimilated, will +point the way, shorten the process, and consummate the +joys of acquiescence in the methods of divine Love. The +Scripture saith, “He that covereth his sins shall not pros- +per.” No risk is so stupendous as to neglect opportuni- [10] +ties which God giveth, and not to forewarn and forearm +our fellow-mortals against the evil which, if seen, can +be destroyed. + +May my friends and my enemies so profit by these +waymarks, that what has chastened and illumined [15] +another’s way may perfect their own lives by gentle +benedictions. In every age, the pioneer reformer must +pass through a baptism of fire. But the faithful adher- +ents of Truth have gone on rejoicing. Christian Science +gives a fearless wing and firm foundation. These are [20] +its inspiring tones from the lips of our Master, “My +sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow +me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall +never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of +my hand.” He is but “an hireling” who fleeth when he [25] +seeth the wolf coming. + +Loyal Christian Scientists, be of good cheer: the night +is far spent, the day dawns; God’s universal kingdom +will appear, Love will reign in every heart, and _His_ will +be done on earth as in heaven. [30] + +[Page 214.] + + + + +“Put Up Thy Sword” + + +While Jesus’ life was full of Love, and a demonstra- +tion of Love, it appeared hate to the carnal mind, or +mortal thought, of his time. He said, “Think not that +I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send [5] +peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at +variance against his father, and the daughter against her +mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in- +law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own house- +hold.” [10] + +This action of Jesus was stimulated by the same Love +that closed—to the senses—that wondrous life, and +that summed up its demonstration in the command, +“Put up thy sword.” The very conflict his Truth brought, +in accomplishing its purpose of Love, meant, all [15] +the way through, “Put up thy sword;” but the sword +must have been drawn before it could be returned into +the scabbard. + +My students need to search the Scriptures and “Science +and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” to understand [20] +the personal Jesus’ labor in the flesh for their salvation: +they need to do this even to understand my works, their +motives, aims, and tendency. + +The attitude of mortal mind in being healed morally, +is the same as its attitude physically. The Christian [25] +Scientist cannot heal the sick, and take error along with +Truth, either in the recognition or approbation of it. +This would prevent the possibility of destroying the +tares: they must be separated from the wheat before +they can be burned, and Jesus foretold the harvest hour [30] + +[Page 215.] + +and the final destruction of error through this very pro- [1] +cess,—the sifting and the fire. The tendency of mortal +mind is to go from one extreme to another: Truth comes +into the intermediate space, saying, “I wound to heal; +I punish to reform; I do it all in love; my peace I leave [5] +with thee: not as the world giveth, give I unto thee. +Arise, let us go hence; let us depart from the material +sense of God’s ways and means, and gain a spiritual +understanding of them.” + +But let us not seek to climb up some other way, as we [10] +shall do if we take the end for the beginning or start +from wrong motives. Christian Science demands order +and truth. To abide by these we must first understand +the Principle and object of our work, and be clear that +it is Love, peace, and good will toward men. Then we [15] +shall demonstrate the Principle in the way of His ap- +pointment, and not according to the infantile concep- +tion of our way; as when a child in sleep walks on the +summit of the roof of the house because he is a som- +nambulist, and thinks he is where he is not, and would [20] +fall immediately if he knew where he was and what he +was doing. + +My students are at the beginning of their demonstra- +tion; they have a long warfare with error in themselves +and in others to finish, and they must at this stage use [25] +the sword of Spirit. + +They cannot in the beginning take the attitude, nor +adopt the words, that Jesus used at the _end_ of his +demonstration. + +If you would follow in his footsteps, you must not try [30] +to gather the harvest while the corn is in the blade, nor +yet when it is in the ear; a wise spiritual discernment + +[Page 216.] + +must be used in your application of his words and infer- [1] +ence from his acts, to guide your own state of combat +with error. There _remaineth_, it is true, a Sabbath rest +for the people of God; but we must first have done our +work, and entered into our rest, as the Scriptures give [5] +example. + + + + +Scientific Theism + + +In the May number of our _Journal_, there appeared a +review of, and some extracts from, “Scientific Theism,” +by Phare Pleigh. [10] + +Now, Phare Pleigh evidently means more than “hands +off.” A live lexicographer, given to the Anglo-Saxon +tongue, might add to the above definition the “laying +on of hands,” as well. Whatever his _nom de plume_ +means, an acquaintance with the author justifies one [15] +in the conclusion that he is a power in criticism, a +big protest against injustice; but, the best may be +mistaken. + +One of these extracts is the story of the Cheshire Cat, +which “vanished quite slowly, beginning with the end [20] +of the tail, and ending with the grin, which remained +some time after the rest of it had gone.” Was this a witty +or a happy hit at idealism, to illustrate the author’s fol- +lowing point?— + +“When philosophy becomes fairy-land, in which neither [25] +laws of nature nor the laws of reason hold good, the +attempt of phenomenism to conceive the universe as a +_phenomenon without a noumenon_ may succeed, but not +before; for it is an attempt to conceive a grin without +a cat.” [30] + +[Page 217.] + +True idealism is a divine Science, which combines in [1] +logical sequence, nature, reason, and revelation. An +effect without a cause is inconceivable; neither philoso- +phy nor reason attempts to find one; but all should con- +ceive and understand that Spirit cannot become less than [5] +Spirit; hence that the universe of God is spiritual,—even +the ideal world whose cause is the self-created Principle, +with which its ideal or phenomenon must correspond in +quality and quantity. + +The fallacy of an unscientific statement is this: that [10] +matter and Spirit are one and eternal; or, that the phe- +nomenon of Spirit is the antipode of Spirit, namely, mat- +ter. Nature declares, throughout the mineral, vegetable, +and animal kingdoms, that the specific nature of all things +is unchanged, and that nature is constituted of and by [15] +Spirit. + +Sensuous and material realistic views presuppose that +nature is matter, and that Deity is a finite person con- +taining infinite Mind; and that these opposites, in sup- +positional unity and personality, produce matter,—a [20] +third quality unlike God. Again, that matter is both +cause and effect, but that the effect is antagonistic to its +cause; that death is at war with Life, evil with good,— +and man a rebel against his Maker. This is neither +Science nor theism. According to Holy Writ, it is a [25] +kingdom divided against itself, that shall be brought +to desolation. + +The nature of God must change in order to become +matter, or to become both finite and infinite; and matter +must _dis_appear, for Spirit to appear. To the material [30] +sense, everything is matter; but spiritualize human +thought, and our convictions change: for spiritual sense + +[Page 218.] + +takes in new views, in which nature becomes Spirit; and [1] +Spirit is God, and God is good. Science unfolds the fact +that Deity was forever Mind, Spirit; that matter never +produced Mind, and _vice versa_. + +The visible universe declares the invisible only by re- [5] +version, as error declares Truth. The testimony of mate- +rial sense in relation to existence is false; for matter can +neither see, hear, nor feel, and mortal mind must change +all its conceptions of life, substance, and intelligence, +before it can reach the immortality of Mind and its ideas. [10] +It is erroneous to accept the evidence of the material +senses whence to reason out God, when it is conceded +that the five personal senses can take no cognizance of +Spirit or of its phenomena. False realistic views sap the +Science of Principle and idea; they make Deity unreal [15] +and inconceivable, either as mind or matter; but Truth +comes to the rescue of reason and immortality, and unfolds +the real nature of God and the universe to the spiri- +ual sense, which beareth witness of things spiritual, and +not material. [20] + +To begin with, the notion of Spirit as cause and end, +with matter as its effect, is more ridiculous than the “grin +without a cat;” for a grin expresses the nature of a cat, +and this nature may linger in memory: but matter does +not express the nature of Spirit, and matter’s graven [25] +grins are neither eliminated nor retained by Spirit. What +can illustrate Dr. ——’s views better than Pat’s echo, +when he said “How do you do?” and echo answered, +“Pretty well, I thank you!” + +Dr. —— says: “The recognition of teleology in nature [30] +is necessarily the recognition of purely spiritual personality +in God.” + +[Page 219.] + +According to lexicography, teleology is the science of [1] +the final cause of things; and divine Science (and all +Science is divine) neither reveals God in matter, cause +in effect, nor teaches that nature and her laws are the +_material_ universe, or that the personality of infinite Spirit [5] +is finite or material. Jesus said, “Ye do err, not know- +ing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.” Now, what +saith the Scripture? “God is a Spirit: and they that +worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in +truth.” [10] + + + + +Mental Practice + + +It is admitted that mortals think wickedly and act +wickedly: it is beginning to be seen by thinkers, that +mortals think also after a sickly fashion. In common +parlance, one person feels sick, another feels wicked. A [15] +third person knows that if he would remove this feeling +in either case, in the one he must change his patient’s +consciousness of dis-ease and suffering to a consciousness +of ease and loss of suffering; while in the other he must +change the patient’s sense of sinning at ease to a sense of [20] +discomfort in sin and peace in goodness. + +This is Christian Science: that mortal mind makes +sick, and immortal Mind makes well; that mortal mind +makes sinners, while immortal Mind makes saints; that +a state of health is but a state of consciousness made mani- [25] +fest on the body, and _vice versa_; that while one person +feels wickedly and acts wickedly, another knows that if +he can change this evil sense and consciousness to a good +sense, or conscious goodness, the fruits of goodness will +follow, and he has reformed the sinner. [30] + +[Page 220.] + +Now, demonstrate this rule, which obtains in every [1] +line of mental healing, and you will find that a good rule +works one way, and a false rule the opposite way. + +Let us suppose that there is a sick person whom an- +other would heal mentally. The healer begins by mental [5] +argument. He mentally says, “You are well, and you +know it;” and he supports this silent mental force by +audible explanation, attestation, and precedent. His +mental and oral arguments aim to refute the sick man’s +thoughts, words, and actions, in certain directions, and [10] +turn them into channels of Truth. He persists in this +course until the patient’s mind yields, and the harmonious +thought has the full control over this mind on the point +at issue. The end is attained, and the patient says and +feels, “I am well, and I know it.” [15] + +This mental practitioner has changed his patient’s +consciousness from sickness to health. The patient’s +mental state is now the diametrical opposite of what it +was when the mental practitioner undertook to transform +it, and he is improved morally and physically. [20] + +That this mental method has power and bears fruit, +is patent both to the conscientious Christian Scientist and +the observer. Both should understand with equal clear- +ness, that if this mental process and power be reversed, +and people believe that a man is sick and knows it, and [25] +speak of him as being sick, put it into the minds of others +that he is sick, publish it in the newspapers that he is +failing, and persist in this action of mind over mind, it +follows that he will believe that he is sick,—and Jesus +said it would be according to the woman’s belief; but if [30] +with the certainty of Science he knows that an error of +belief has not the power of Truth, and cannot, does + +[Page 221.] + +not, produce the slightest effect, it has no power over [1] +him. Thus a mental malpractitioner may lose his +power to harm by a false mental argument; for it +gives one opportunity to handle the error, and when +mastering it one gains in the rules of metaphysics, and [5] +thereby learns more of its divine Principle. Error pro- +duces physical sufferings, and these sufferings show +the fundamental Principle of Christian Science; namely, +that error and sickness are one, and Truth is their +remedy. [10] + +The evil-doer can do little at removing the effect of sin +on himself, unless he believes that sin has produced the +effect and knows he is a sinner: or, knowing that he is a +sinner, if he denies it, the good effect is lost. Either of +these states of mind will stultify the power to heal men- [15] +tally. This accounts for many helpless mental practi- +tioners and mysterious diseases. + +Again: If error is the cause of disease, Truth being +the cure, denial of this fact in one instance and +acknowledgment of it in another saps one’s under- [20] +standing of the Science of Mind-healing, Such denial +dethrones demonstration, baffles the student of Mind- +healing, and divorces his work from Science. Such de- +nial also contradicts the doctrine that we must mentally +struggle against both evil and disease, and is like saying [25] +that five times ten are fifty while ten times five are not +fifty; as if the multiplication of the same two numbers +would not yield the same product whichever might serve +as the multiplicand. + +Who would tell another of a crime that he himself is [30] +committing, or call public attention to that crime? The +belief in evil and in the process of evil, holds the issues + +[Page 222.] + +of death to the evil-doer. It takes away a man’s proper [1] +sense of good, and gives him a false sense of both evil +and good. It inflames envy, passion, evil-speaking, and +strife. It reverses Christian Science in all things. It +causes the victim to believe that he is advancing while [5] +injuring himself and others. This state of false conscious- +ness in many cases causes the victim great physical suffering; +and conviction of his wrong state of feeling reforms +him, and so heals him: or, failing of conviction and re- +form, he becomes morally paralyzed—in other words, [10] +a moral idiot. + +In this state of misled consciousness, one is ready to +listen complacently to audible falsehoods that once he +would have resisted and loathed; and this, because the +false seems true. The malicious mental argument and [15] +its action on the mind of the perpetrator, is fatal, morally +and physically. From the effects of mental malpractice +the subject scarcely awakes in time, and must suffer its +full penalty after death. This sin against divine Science +is cancelled only through human agony: the measure it [20] +has meted must be remeasured to it. + +The crimes committed under this new _régime_ of mind- +power, when brought to light, will make stout hearts quail. +Its mystery protects it now, for it is not yet known. Error +is more abstract than Truth. Even the healing Principle, [25] +whose power seems inexplicable, is not so obscure; for +this is the power of God, and good should seem more +natural than evil. + +I shall not forget the cost of investigating, for this age, +the methods and power of error. While the ways, means, [30] +and potency of Truth had flowed into my consciousness +as easily as dawns the morning light and shadows flee, + +[Page 223.] + +the metaphysical mystery of error—its hidden paths, [1] +purpose, and fruits—at first defied me. I was say- +ing all the time, “Come not thou into the secret”— +but at length took up the research according to God’s +command. [5] + +Streams which purify, necessarily have pure fountains; +while impure streams flow from corrupt sources. Here, +divine light, logic, and revelation coincide. + +Science proves, beyond cavil, that the tree is known +by its fruit; that mind reaches its own ideal, and cannot [10] +be separated from it. I respect that moral sense which +is sufficiently strong to discern what it believes, and to say, +if it must, “I discredit Mind with having the power to +heal.” This individual disbelieves in Mind-healing, and +is consistent. But, alas! for the mistake of believing in [15] +mental healing, claiming full faith in the divine Principle, +and saying, “I am a Christian Scientist,” while doing +unto others what we would resist to the hilt if done unto +ourselves. + +May divine Love so permeate the affections of all those [20] +who have named the name of Christ in its fullest sense, +that no counteracting influence can hinder their growth +or taint their examples. + + + + +Taking Offense + + +There is immense wisdom in the old proverb, “He [25] +that is slow to anger is better than the mighty.” Hannah +More said, “If I wished to punish my enemy, I should +make him hate somebody.” + +To punish ourselves for others’ faults, is superlative +folly. The mental arrow shot from another’s bow is [30] + +[Page 224.] + +practically harmless, unless our own thought barbs it. [1] +It is our pride that makes another’s criticism rankle, our +self-will that makes another’s deed offensive, our egotism +that feels hurt by another’s self-assertion. Well may we +feel wounded by our own faults; but we can hardly afford [5] +to be miserable for the faults of others. + +A courtier told Constantine that a mob had broken +the head of his statue with stones. The emperor lifted +his hands to his head, saying: “It is very surprising, but +I don’t feel hurt in the least.” [10] + +We should remember that the world is wide; that there +are a thousand million different human wills, opinions, +ambitions, tastes, and loves; that each person has a differ- +ent history, constitution, culture, character, from all the +rest; that human life is the work, the play, the ceaseless [15] +action and reaction upon each other of these different +atoms. Then, we should go forth into life with the smallest +expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen +relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, +and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction [20] +of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; with +an equanimity so settled that no passing breath nor +accidental disturbance shall agitate or ruffle it; with a +charity broad enough to cover the whole world’s evil, and +sweet enough to neutralize what is bitter in it,—de- [25] +termined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor +even when it is, unless the offense be against God. + +Nothing short of our own errors should offend us. He +who can wilfully attempt to injure another, is an object +of pity rather than of resentment; while it is a question [30] +in my mind, whether there is enough of a flatterer, a fool, +or a liar, _to_ offend a whole-souled woman. + +[Page 225.] + + + + +Hints To The Clergy + + +At the residence of Mr. Rawson, of Arlington, Massa- +chusetts, a happy concourse of friends had gathered to +celebrate the eighty-second birthday of his mother—a +friend of mine, and a Christian Scientist. [5] + +Among the guests, were an orthodox clergyman, his +wife and child. + +In the course of the evening, conversation drifted to +the seventh modern wonder, Christian Science; where- +upon the mother, Mrs. Rawson, who had drunk at its [10] +fount, firmly bore testimony to the power of Christ, Truth, +to heal the sick. + +Soon after this conversation, the clergyman’s son +was taken violently ill. Then was the clergyman’s +opportunity to demand a proof of what the Christian [15] +Scientist had declared; and he said to this venerable +Christian:— + +“If you heal my son, when seeing, I may be led to +believe.” + +Mrs. Rawson then rose from her seat, and sat down [20] +beside the sofa whereon lay the lad with burning brow, +moaning in pain. + +Looking away from all material aid, to the spiritual +source and ever-present help, silently, through the divine +power, she healed him. [25] + +The deep flush faded from the face, a cool perspiration +spread over it, and he slept. + +In about one hour he awoke, and was hungry. + +The parents said:— + +“Wait until we get home, and you shall have some [30] +gruel.” + +[Page 226.] + +But Mrs. Rawson said:—[1] + +“Give the child what he relishes, and doubt not that +the Father of all will care for him.” + +Thus, the unbiased youth and the aged Christian +carried the case on the side of God; and, after eating [5] +several ice-creams, the clergyman’s son returned home +—_well_. + + + + +Perfidy And Slander + + +What has an individual gained by losing his own self- +respect? or what has he lost when, retaining his own, [10] +he loses the homage of fools, or the pretentious praise of +hypocrites, false to themselves as to others? + +Shakespeare, the immortal lexicographer of mortals, +writes:— + + + To thine own self be true, [15] + And it must follow, as the night the day, + Thou canst not then be false to any man. + + +When Aristotle was asked what a person could gain +by uttering a falsehood, he replied, “Not to be credited +when he shall tell the truth.” [20] + +The character of a liar and hypocrite is so contempti- +ble, that even of those who have lost their honor it might +be expected that from the violation of truth they should +be restrained by their pride. + +Perfidy of an inferior quality, such as manages to evade [25] +the law, and which dignified natures cannot stoop to +notice, except legally, disgraces human nature more than +do most vices. + +Slander is a midnight robber; the red-tongued assas- +sin of radical worth; the conservative swindler, who [30] + +[Page 227.] + +sells himself in a traffic by which he can gain nothing [1]. +It can retire for forgiveness to no fraternity where its +crime may stand in the place of a virtue; but must at +length be given up to the hisses of the multitude, with- +out friend and without apologist. [5] + +Law has found it necessary to offer to the innocent, +security from slanderers—those pests of society—when +their crime comes within its jurisdiction. Thus, to evade +the penalty of law, and yet with malice aforethought to +extend their evil intent, is the nice distinction by which [10] +they endeavor to get their weighty stuff into the hands +of gossip! Some uncharitable one may give it a forward +move, and, ere that one himself become aware, find +himself responsible for kind (?) endeavors. + +Would that my pen or pity could raise these weak, [15] +pitifully poor objects from their choice of self-degrada- +tion to the nobler purposes and wider aims of a life made +honest: a life in which the fresh flowers of feeling blos- +som, and, like the camomile, the more trampled upon, +the sweeter the odor they send forth to benefit mankind; [20] +a life wherein calm, self-respected thoughts abide in +tabernacles of their own, dwelling upon a holy hill, speak- +ing the truth in the heart; a life wherein the mind can +rest in green pastures, beside the still waters, on isles +of sweet refreshment. The sublime summary of an [25] +honest life satisfies the mind craving a higher good, and +bathes it in the cool waters of peace on earth; till it +grows into the full stature of wisdom, reckoning its +own by the amount of happiness it has bestowed upon +others. [30] + +Not to avenge one’s self upon one’s enemies, is the +command of almighty wisdom; and we take this to be + +[Page 228.] + +a safer guide than the promptings of human nature. [1] +To know that a deception dark as it is base has been +practised upon thee,—by those deemed at least indebted +friends whose welfare thou hast promoted,—and yet +not to avenge thyself, is to do good to thyself; is to take [5] +a new standpoint whence to look upward; is to be calm +amid excitement, just amid lawlessness, and pure amid +corruption. + +To be a great man or woman, to have a name whose +odor fills the world with its fragrance, is to bear with [10] +patience the buffetings of envy or malice—even while +seeking to raise those barren natures to a capacity for a +higher life. We should look with pitying eye on the +momentary success of all villainies, on mad ambition +and low revenge. This will bring us also to look on a [15] +kind, true, and just person, faithful to conscience and +honest beyond reproach, as the only suitable fabric out +of which to weave an existence fit for earth and +heaven. + + + + +Contagion + + +Whatever man sees, feels, or in any way takes cog- +nizance of, must be caught through mind; inasmuch +as perception, sensation, and consciousness belong to +mind and not to matter. Floating with the popular +current of mortal thought without questioning the re- [25] +liability of its conclusions, we do what others do, +believe what others believe, and say what others say. +Common consent is contagious, and it makes disease +catching. + +People believe in infectious and contagious diseases, [30] + +[Page 229.] + +and that any one is liable to have them under certain [1] +predisposing or exciting causes. This mental state pre- +pares one to have any disease whenever there appear the +circumstances which he believes produce it. If he believed +as sincerely that health is catching when exposed to con- [5] +tact with healthy people, he would catch their state of +feeling quite as surely and with better effect than he does +the sick man’s. + +If only the people would believe that good is more +contagious than evil, since God is omnipresence, how [10] +much more certain would be the doctor’s success, and +the clergyman’s conversion of sinners. And if only the +pulpit would encourage faith in God in this direction, +and faith in Mind over all other influences governing +the receptivity of the body, theology would teach man [15] +as David taught: “Because thou hast made the Lord, +which is my refuge, even the most High thy habitation; +there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague +come nigh thy dwelling.” + +The confidence of mankind in contagious disease would [20] +thus become beautifully less; and in the same propor- +tion would faith in the power of God to heal and to save +mankind increase, until the whole human race would +become healthier, holier, happier, and longer lived. A +calm, Christian state of mind is a better preventive of [25] +contagion than a drug, or than any other possible sana- +tive method; and the “perfect Love” that “casteth out +fear” is a sure defense. + +[Page 230.] + + + + +Improve Your Time + + +Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon [1] +the improvement of moments more than upon any other +one thing. A great amount of time is consumed in talking +nothing, doing nothing, and indecision as to what one +should do. If one would be successful in the future, let [5] +him make the most of the present. + +Three ways of wasting time, one of which is con- +temptible, are gossiping mischief, making lingering calls, +and mere motion when at work, thinking of nothing or [10] +planning for some amusement,—travel of limb more +than mind. Rushing around smartly is no proof of ac- +complishing much. + +All successful individuals have become such by hard +work; by improving moments before they pass into hours, [15] +and hours that other people may occupy in the pursuit +of pleasure. They spend no time in sheer idleness, in +talking when they have nothing to say, in building air- +castles or floating off on the wings of sense: all of which +drop human life into the ditch of nonsense, and worse [20] +than waste its years. + + + “Let us, then, be up and doing, + With a heart for any fate; + Still achieving, still pursuing, + Learn to labor and to wait.” [25] + + + + +Thanksgiving Dinner + + +It was a beautiful group! needing but canvas and the +touch of an artist to render it pathetic, tender, gorgeous. + +[Page 231.] + +Age, on whose hoary head the almond-blossom formed a [1] +crown of glory; middle age, in smiles and the full fruition +of happiness; infancy, exuberant with joy,—ranged side +by side. The sober-suited grandmother, rich in ex- +perience, had seen sunshine and shadow fall upon ninety- [5] +six years. Four generations sat at that dinner-table. +The rich viands made busy many appetites; but, what +of the poor! Willingly—though I take no stock in +spirit-rappings—would I have had the table give a +spiritual groan for the unfeasted ones. [10] + +Under the skilful carving of the generous host, the +mammoth turkey grew beautifully less. His was the +glory to vie with guests in the dexterous use of knife and +fork, until delicious pie, pudding, and fruit caused un- +conditional surrender. [15] + +And the baby! Why, he made a big hole, with two +incisors, in a big pippin, and bit the finger presump- +tuously poked into the little mouth to arrest the peel! +Then he was caught walking! one, two, three steps,— +and papa knew that he could walk, but grandpa was [20] +taken napping. Now! baby has tumbled, soft as thistle- +down, on the floor; and instead of a real set-to at crying, +a look of cheer and a toy from mamma bring the soft +little palms patting together, and pucker the rosebud +mouth into saying, “Oh, pretty!” That was a scientific [25] +baby; and his first sitting-at-table on Thanksgiving Day— +yes, and his little rainbowy life—brought sunshine +to every heart. How many homes echo such tones of +heartfelt joy on Thanksgiving Day! But, alas! for the +desolate home; for the tear-filled eyes looking longingly [30] +at the portal through which the loved one comes not, or +gazing silently on the vacant seat at fireside and board— + +[Page 232.] + +God comfort them all! we inwardly prayed—but the [1] +memory was too much; and, turning from it, in a bumper +of pudding-sauce we drank to peace, and plenty, and +happy households. + + + + +Christian Science + + +This age is reaching out towards the perfect Principle +of things; is pushing towards perfection in art, inven- +tion, and manufacture. Why, then, should religion be +stereotyped, and we not obtain a more perfect and prac- +tical Christianity? It will never do to be behind the [10] +times in things most essential, which proceed from the +standard of right that regulates human destiny. Human +skill but foreshadows what is next to appear as its divine +origin. Proportionately as we part with material systems +and theories, personal doctrines and dogmas, meekly to [15] +ascend the hill of Science, shall we reach the maximum +of perfection in all things. + +Spirit is omnipotent; hence a more spiritual Chris- +tianity will be one having more power, having perfected +in Science that most important of all arts,—healing. [20] + +Metaphysical healing, or Christian Science, is a de- +mand of the times. Every man and every woman would +desire and demand it, if he and she knew its infinite +value and firm basis. The unerring and fixed Principle +of all healing is God; and this Principle should be [25] +sought from the love of good, from the most spiritual +and unselfish motives. Then will it be understood to be +of God, and not of man; and this will prevent mankind +from striking out promiscuously, teaching and practising + +[Page 233.] + +in the _name_ of Science without knowing its fundamental [1] +Principle. + +It is important to know that a malpractice of the best +system will result in the worst form of medicine. More- +over, the feverish, disgusting pride of those who call [5] +themselves metaphysicians or Scientists,—but are such +in name only,—fanned by the breath of mental mal- +practice, is the death’s-head at the feast of Truth; the +monkey in harlequin jacket that will retard the onward +march of life-giving Science, if not understood and with- [10] +stood, and so strangled in its attempts. + +The standard of metaphysical healing is traduced by +thinking to put into the old garment of drugging the new +cloth of metaphysics; or by trying to twist the fatal +magnetic force of mortal mind, termed hypnotism, into [15] +a more fashionable cut and naming that “mind-cure,” +or—which is still worse in the eyes of Truth—terming +it metaphysics! Substituting good words for a good life, +fair-seeming for straightforward character, mental mal- +practice for the practice of true medicine, is a poor shift [20] +for the weak and worldly who think the standard of +Christian Science too high for them. + +What think you of a scientist in mathematics who finds +fault with the exactness of the rule because unwilling to +work hard enough to practise it? The perfection of the [25] +rule of Christian Science is what constitutes its utility: +having a true standard, if some fall short, others will +approach it; and these are they only who adhere to that +standard. + +Matter must be understood as a false belief or product so [30] +of mortal mind: whence we learn that sensation is not +in matter, but in this so-called mind; that we see and + +[Page 234.] + +feel disease only by reason of our belief in it: then shall [1] +matter remain no longer to blind us to Spirit, and clog +the wheels of progress. We spread our wings in vain when +we attempt to mount above error by speculative views +of Truth. [5] + +Love is the Principle of divine Science; and Love is +not learned of the material senses, nor gained by a culpa- +ble attempt to seem what we have not lifted ourselves +to _be_, namely, a Christian. In love for man, we gain a +true sense of Love as God; and in no other way can we [10] +reach this spiritual sense, and rise—and still rise—to +things most essential and divine. What hinders man’s +progress is his vain conceit, the Phariseeism of the times, +also his effort to steal from others and avoid hard work; +errors which can never find a place in Science. Empiri- [15] +cal knowledge is worse than useless: it never has advanced +man a single step in the scale of being. + +That one should have ventured on such unfamiliar +ground, and, self-forgetful, should have gone on to estab- +lish this mighty system of metaphysical healing, called [20] +Christian Science, against such odds,—even the entire +current of mortality,—is matter of grave wonderment to +profound thinkers. That, in addition to this, she has made +some progress, has seen far into the spiritual facts of be- +ing which constitute physical and mental perfection, in [25] +the midst of an age so sunken in sin and sensuality, seems +to them still more inconceivable. + +In this new departure of metaphysics, God is regarded +more as absolute, supreme; and Christ is clad with a +richer illumination as our Saviour from sickness, sin, [30] +and death. God’s fatherliness as Life, Truth, and Love, +makes His sovereignty glorious. + +[Page 235.] + +By this system, too, man has a changed recognition [1] +of his relation to God. He is no longer obliged to sin, +be sick, and die to reach heaven, but is required and em- +powered to conquer sin, sickness, and death; thus, as +image and likeness, to reflect Him who destroys death [5] +and hell. By this reflection, man becomes the partaker +of that Mind whence sprang the universe. + +In Christian Science, progress is demonstration, not +doctrine. This Science is ameliorative and regenerative, +delivering mankind from all error through the light and [10] +love of Truth. It gives to the race loftier desires and new +possibilities. It lays the axe at the root of the tree of +knowledge, to cut down all that bringeth not forth good +fruit; “and blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended +in me.” It touches mind to more spiritual issues, sys- [15] +tematizes action, gives a keener sense of Truth and a +stronger desire for it. + +Hungering and thirsting after a better life, we shall +have it, and become Christian Scientists; learn God +aright, and know something of the ideal man, the real [20] +man, harmonious and eternal. This movement of thought +must push on the ages: it must start the wheels of reason +aright, educate the affections to higher resources, and +leave Christianity unbiased by the superstitions of a +senior period. [25] + + + + +Injustice + + +Who that has tried to follow the divine precept, “All +things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto +you, do ye even so to them,” has not suffered from the + +[Page 236.] + +situation?—has not found that human passions in their [1] +reaction have misjudged motives? + +Throughout our experience since undertaking the +labor of uplifting the race, we have been made the re- +pository of little else than the troubles, indiscretions, [5] +and errors of others; until thought has shrunk from +contact with family difficulties, and become weary with +study to counsel wisely whenever giving advice on per- +sonal topics. + +To the child complaining of his parents we have said, [10] +“Love and honor thy parents, and yield obedience to +them in all that is right; but you have the rights of con- +science, as we all have, and must follow God in all your +ways.” + +When yielding to constant solicitations of husband or [15] +wife to give, to one or the other, advice concerning diffi- +culties and the best way to overcome them, we have done +this to the best of our ability,—and always with the pur- +pose to restore harmony and prevent dishonor. In such +cases we have said, “Take no counsel of a mortal, even [20] +though it be your best friend; but be guided by God +alone;” meaning by this, Be not estranged from each +other by anything that is said to you, but seek in divine +Love the remedy for all human discord. + +Yet, notwithstanding one’s good intentions, in some [25] +way or at some step in one’s efforts to help another, as +a general rule, one will be blamed for all that is not right: +but this must not deter us from doing our duty, whatever +else may appear, and at whatever cost. + +[Page 237.] + + + + +Reformers + + +The olden opinion that hell is fire and brimstone, has +yielded somewhat to the metaphysical fact that suffering +is a thing of mortal mind instead of body: so, in place +of material flames and odor, mental anguish is generally [5] +accepted as the penalty for sin. This changed belief +has wrought a change in the actions of men. Not a few +individuals serve God (or try to) from fear; but remove +that fear, and the worst of human passions belch forth +their latent fires. Some people never repent until earth [10] +gives them such a cup of gall that conscience strikes home; +then they are brought to realize how impossible it is to +sin and not suffer. All the different phases of error in +human nature the reformer must encounter and help to +eradicate. [15] + +This period is not essentially one of conscience: few +feel and live now as when this nation began, and our +forefathers’ prayers blended with the murmuring winds +of their forest home. This is a period of doubt, inquiry, +speculation, selfishness; of divided interests, marvellous [20] +good, and mysterious evil. But sin can only work out +its own destruction; and reform does and must push on +the growth of mankind. + +Honor to faithful merit is delayed, and always has +been; but it is sure to follow. The very streets through [25] +which Garrison was dragged were draped in honor of +the dead hero who did the hard work, the immortal work, +of loosing the fetters of one form of human slavery. I +remember, when a girl, and he visited my father, how a +childish fear clustered round his coming. I had heard [30] + +[Page 238.] + +the awful story that “he helped ‘niggers’ kill the white [1] +folks!” Even the loving children are sometimes made +to believe a lie, and to hate reformers. It is pleasant, +now, to contrast with that childhood’s wrong the reverence +of my riper years for all who dare to be true, honest to [5] +their convictions, and strong of purpose. + +The reformer has no time to give in defense of his +own life’s incentive, since no sacrifice is too great for the +silent endurance of his love. What has not unselfed love +achieved for the race? All that ever was accomplished, [10] +and more than history has yet recorded. The reformer +works on unmentioned, save when he is abused or his +work is utilized in the interest of somebody. He may +labor for the establishment of a cause which is fraught +with infinite blessings,—health, virtue, and heaven; [15] +but what of all that? Who should care for everybody? +It is enough, say they, to care for a few. Yet the good +is done, and the love that foresees more to do, stimulate +philanthropy and are an ever-present reward. Let one’s +life answer well these questions, and it already hath a [20] +benediction: + +Have you renounced self? Are you faithful? Do +you love? + + + + +Mrs. Eddy Sick + + +The frequent public allegement that I am “sick, unable [25] +to speak a loud word,” or that I died of palsy, and am +dead,—is but another evidence of the falsehoods kept +constantly before the public. + +While I accord these evil-mongers due credit for their + +[Page 239.] + +desire, let me say to you, dear reader: Call at the [1] +Massachusetts Metaphysical College, in 1889, and judge +for yourself whether I can talk—and laugh too! I +never was in better health. I have had but four +days’ vacation for the past year, and am about to com- [5] +mence a large class in Christian Science. Lecturing, +writing, preaching, teaching, etc., give fair proof that +my shadow is not growing less; and substance is taking +larger proportions. + + + + +“I’ve Got Cold” + + +Out upon the sidewalk one winter morning, I observed +a carriage draw up before a stately mansion; a portly +gentleman alight, and take from his carriage the ominous +hand-trunk. + +“Ah!” thought I, “somebody has to take it; and what [15] +may the potion be?” + +Just then a tiny, sweet face appeared in the vestibule, +and red nose, suffused eyes, cough, and tired look, told +the story; but, looking up quaintly, the poor child said,— + +“I’ve got cold, doctor.” [20] + +Her apparent pride at sharing in a popular influenza +was comical. However, her dividend, when compared +with that of the household stockholders, was new; and +doubtless their familiarity with what the stock paid, made +them more serious over it. [25] + +What if that sweet child, so bravely confessing that +she had something that she ought not to have, and which +mamma thought must be gotten rid of, had been taught +the value of saying even more bravely, and believing +it,— [30] + +[Page 240.] + +“I have _not_ got cold.” [1] + +Why, the doctor’s squills and bills would have been +avoided; and through the cold air the little one would +have been bounding with sparkling eyes, and ruby cheeks +painted and fattened by metaphysical hygiene. [5] + +Parents and doctors must not take the sweet freshness +out of the children’s lives by that flippant caution, “You +will get cold.” + +Predicting danger does not dignify life, whereas fore- +casting liberty and joy does; for these are strong pro- [10] +moters of health and happiness. All education should +contribute to moral and physical strength and freedom. +If a cold could get into the body without the assent of +mind, nature would take it out as gently, or let it remain +as harmlessly, as it takes the frost out of the ground or [15] +puts it into the ice-cream to the satisfaction of all. + +The sapling bends to the breeze, while the sturdy oak, +with form and inclination fixed, breasts the tornado. It +is easier to incline the early thought rightly, than the +biased mind. Children not mistaught, naturally love [20] +God; for they are pure-minded, affectionate, and gen- +erally brave. Passions, appetites, pride, selfishness, have +slight sway over the fresh, unbiased thought. + +Teach the children early self-government, and teach +them nothing that is wrong. If they see their father with [25] +a cigarette in his mouth—suggest to them that the habit +of smoking is not nice, and that nothing but a loathsome +worm _naturally_ chews tobacco. Likewise soberly inform +them that “Battle-Axe Plug” takes off men’s heads; or, +leaving these on, that it takes from their bodies a sweet [30] +something which belongs to nature,—namely, pure +odors. + +[Page 241.] + +From a religious point of view, the faith of both youth [1] +and adult should centre as steadfastly in God to benefit +the body, as to benefit the mind. Body and mind are +correlated in man’s salvation; for man will no more +enter heaven sick than as a sinner, and Christ’s Christi- [5] +anity casts out sickness as well as sin of every sort. + +Test, if you will, metaphysical healing on two patients: +one having morals to be healed, the other having a physi- +cal ailment. Use as your medicine the great alterative, +Truth: give to the immoralist a mental dose that says, [10] +“You have no pleasure in sin,” and witness the effects. + +Either he will hate you, and try to make others do like- +wise, so taking a dose of error big enough apparently to +neutralize your Truth, else he will doubtingly await the +result; during which interim, by constant combat and [15] +direful struggles, you get the victory and Truth heals him +of the moral malady. + +On the other hand, to the bedridden sufferer admin- +ister this alternative Truth: “God never made you sick: +there is no necessity for pain; and Truth destroys the [20] +error that insists on the necessity of any man’s bondage +to sin and sickness. “Ye shall know the truth, and the +truth shall make you free.’ ” + +Then, like blind Bartimeus, the doubting heart looks +up through faith, and your patient rejoices in the gospel [25] +of health. + +Thus, you see, it is easier to heal the physical than the +moral ailment. When divine Truth and Love heal, of +sin, the sinner who is at ease in sin, how much more should +these heal, of sickness, the sick who are dis-eased, dis- [30] +comforted, and who long for relief! + +[Page 242.] + + + + +“Prayer And Healing” + + +The article of Professor T——, having the above cap- [1] +tion, published in _Zion’s Herald_, December third, came +not to my notice until January ninth. In it the Professor +offered me, as President of the Metaphysical College in +Boston, or one of my students, the liberal sum of one [5] +thousand dollars if either would reset certain dislocations +without the use of hands, and two thousand dollars if +either would give sight to one born blind. + +Will the gentleman accept my thanks due to his gener- [10] +osity; for, if I should accept his bid on Christianity, he +would lose his money. + +Why? + +Because I performed more difficult tasks fifteen years +ago. At present, I am in another department of Christian [15] +work, “where there shall no signs be given them,” for +they shall be instructed in the Principle of Christian +Science that furnishes its own proof. + +But, to reward his liberality, I offer him three thou- +sand dollars if he will heal one single case of opium-eating [20] +where the patient is very low and taking morphine powder +in its most concentrated form, at the rate of one ounce in +two weeks,—having taken it twenty years; and he is to +cure that habit in three days, leaving the patient well. I +cured precisely such a case in 1869. [25] + +Also, Mr. C. M. H——, of Boston, formerly partner +of George T. Brown, pharmacist, No. 5 Beacon St., will +tell you that he was my student in December, 1884; and +that before leaving the class he took a patient thoroughly +addicted to the use of opium—if she went without it [30] + +[Page 243.] + +twenty-four hours she would have delirium—and in [1] +forty-eight hours cured her perfectly of this habit, +with no bad results, but with decided improvement in +health. + +I have not yet made surgery one of the mental branches [5] +taught in my college; although students treat sprains, +contusions, etc., successfully. In the case of sprain of the +wrist-joint, where the regular doctor had put on splints +and bandages to remain six weeks, a student of mine +removed these appliances the same day and effected the [10] +cure in less than one week. Reference, Mrs. M. A. F——, +107 Eutaw Street, East Boston. + +I agree with the Professor, that every system of medi- +cine claims more than it practises. If the system is Science, +it includes of necessity the Principle, which the learner [15] +can demonstrate only in proportion as he understands it. +Boasting is unbecoming a mortal’s poor performances. +My Christian students are proverbially modest: their +works alone should declare them, since my system of medi- +cine is not generally understood. There are charlatans [20] +in “mind-cure,” who practise on the basis of matter, or +human will, not Mind. + +The Professor alludes to Paul’s advice to Timothy. +Did he refer to that questionable counsel, “Take a little +wine for thy stomach’s sake”? Even doctors disagree [25] +on that prescription: some of the medical faculty will +tell you that alcoholic drinks cause the coats of the stomach +to thicken and the organ to contract; will prevent the +secretions of the gastric juice, and induce ulceration, +bleeding, vomiting, death. [30] + +Again, the Professor quotes, in justification of material +methods, and as veritable: “He took a bone from the + +[Page 244.] + +side of Adam, closed up the wound thereof, and builded [1] +up the woman.” (Gen. ii. 21.) + +Here we have the Professor on the platform of Christian +Science! even a “surgical operation” that he says was +performed by divine power,—Mind alone constructing [5] +the human system, before surgical instruments were +invented, and closing the incisions of the flesh. + +He further states that God cannot save the soul without +compliance to ordained conditions. But, we ask, have +those conditions named in Genesis been perpetuated in [10] +the multiplication of mankind? And, are the conditions +of salvation mental, or physical; are they bodily penance +and torture, or repentance and reform, which are the +action of mind? + +He asks, “Has the law been abrogated that demands [15] +the employment of visible agencies for specific ends?” + +Will he accept my reply as derived from the life and +teachings of Jesus?—who annulled the so-called laws of +matter by the higher law of Spirit, causing him to walk +the wave, turn the water into wine, make the blind to see, [20] +the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the dead to be +raised without matter-agencies. And he did this for man’s +example; not to teach himself, but others, the way of +healing and salvation. He said, “And other sheep I have, +which are not of this fold.” [25] + +The teachings and demonstration of Jesus were for +all peoples and for all time; not for a privileged class or +a restricted period, but for as many as should believe in +him. + +Are the discoverers of quinine, cocaine, etc., espe- [30] +cially the children of our Lord because of their medical +discoveries? + +[Page 245.] + +We have no record showing that our Master ever used, [1] +or recommended others to use, drugs; but we have his +words, and the prophet’s, as follows: “Take no thought, +saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink?” +“And Asa ... sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. [5] +And Asa slept with his fathers.” + + + + +Veritas Odium Parit + + +The combined efforts of the materialistic portion of +the pulpit and press in 1885, to retard by misrepresen- +tation the stately goings of Christian Science, are giving [10] +it new impetus and energy; calling forth the _vox populi_ +and directing more critical observation to its uplifting +influence upon the health, morals, and spirituality of +mankind. + +Their movements indicate fear and weakness, a physi- [15] +cal and spiritual need that Christian Science should re- +move with glorious results. The conclusion cannot now +be pushed, that women have no rights that man is bound +to respect. This is woman’s hour, in all the good tend- +encies, charities, and reforms of to-day. It is difficult [20] +to say which may be most mischievous to the human +heart, the praise or the dispraise of men. + +I have loved the Church and followed it, thinking that +it was following Christ; but, if the pulpit allows the people +to go no further in the direction of Christlikeness, and [25] +rejects apostolic Christianity, seeking to stereotype infinite +Truth, it is a thing to be thankful for that one can walk +alone the straight and narrow way; that, in the words of +Wendell Phillips, “one with God is a majority.” + +[Page 246.] + +It is the pulpit and press, clerical robes and the pro- [1] +hibiting of free speech, that cradles and covers the sins of +the world,—all unmitigated systems of crime; and it +requires the enlightenment of these worthies, through +civil and religious reform, to blot out all inhuman codes. [5] +It was the Southern pulpit and press that influenced the +people to wrench from man both human and divine rights, +in order to subserve the interests of wealth, religious caste, +civil and political power. And the pulpit had to be +purged of that sin by human gore,—when the love of [10] +Christ would have washed it divinely away in Christian +Science! + +The cry of the colored slave has scarcely been heard +and hushed, when from another direction there comes +another sharp cry of oppression. Another form of inhumanity [15] +lifts its hydra head to forge anew the old fetters; +to shackle conscience, stop free speech, slander, vilify; +to invite its prey, then turn and refuse the victim a solitary +vindication in this most unprecedented warfare. + +A conflict more terrible than the battle of Gettysburg [20] +awaits the crouching wrong that refused to yield its +prey the peace of a desert, when a voice was heard +crying in the wilderness,—the spiritual famine of 1866, +—“Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths +straight.” [25] + +Shall religious intolerance, arrayed against the rights +of man, again deluge the earth in blood? The question +at issue with mankind is: Shall we have a spiritual Chris- +tianity and a spiritual healing, or a materialistic religion +and a _materia medica_? [30] + +The advancing faith and hope of Christianity, the +earnest seeking after practical truth that shall cast out + +[Page 247.] + +error and heal the sick, wisely demand for man his God- [1] +given heritage, both human and divine rights; namely, +that his honest convictions and _proofs_ of advancing truth +be allowed due consideration, and treated not as pearls +trampled upon. [5] + +Those familiar with my history are more tolerant; those +who know me, know that I found health in just what I +teach. I have professed Christianity a half-century; and +now I calmly challenge the world, upon fair investigation, +to furnish a single instance of departure in one of my [10] +works from the highest possible ethics. + +The charges against my views are false, but natural, +since those bringing them do not understand my state- +ment of the Science I introduce, and are unwilling to be +taught it, even gratuitously. If they did understand it, they [15] +could demonstrate this Science by healing the sick; hence +the injustice of their interpretations. + +To many, the healing force developed by Christian +Science seems a mystery, because they do not understand +that Spirit controls body. They acknowledge the exist- [20] +ence of mortal mind, but believe it to reside in matter +of the brain; but that man is the idea of infinite Mind, +is not so easily accepted. That which is temporary +seems, to the common estimate, solid and substantial. +It is much easier for people to believe that the body [25] +affects mind, than that the body is an expression of +mind, and reflects harmony or discord according to +thought. + +Everything that God created, He pronounced good. +He never made sickness. Hence _that_ is only an evil belief [30] +of mortal mind, which must be met, in every instance, +with a denial by Truth. + +[Page 248.] + +This is the “new tongue,” the language of them that [1] +“lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover,” whose +spiritual interpretation they refuse to hear. For instance: +the literal meaning of the passage “lay hands on the sick” +would be manipulation; its moral meaning, found in the [5] +“new tongue,” is spiritual power,—as, in another Scripture, +“I will triumph in the works of Thy hands.” + + + + +Falsehood + + +The Greeks showed a just estimate of the person they +called slanderer, when they made the word synonymous [10] +with devil. If the simple falsehoods uttered about me +were compounded, the mixture would be labelled thus: +“Religionists’ mistaken views of Mrs. Eddy’s book, ‘Sci- +ence and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and the +malice aforethought of sinners.” [15] + +That I take opium; that I am an infidel, a mesmerist, +a medium, a “pantheist;” or that my hourly life is prayerless, +or not in strict obedience to the Mosaic Decalogue,— +is not more true than that I am dead, as is oft reported. +The _St. Louis Democrat_ is alleged to have reported my [20] +demise, and to have said that I died of poison, and bequeathed +my property to Susan Anthony. + +The opium falsehood has only this to it: Many years +ago my regular physician prescribed morphine, which I +took, when he could do no more for me. Afterwards, [25] +the glorious revelations of Christian Science saved me +from that necessity and made me well, since which time +I have not taken drugs, with the following exception: +When the mental malpractice of poisoning people was + +[Page 249.] + +first undertaken by a mesmerist, to test that malprac- [1] +tice I experimented by taking some large doses of mor- +phine, to see if Christian Science could not obviate its +effect; and I say with tearful thanks, “The drug had +no effect upon me whatever.” The hour has struck, [5] +—“If they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt +them.” + +The false report that I have appropriated other people’s +manuscripts in my works, has been met and answered +_legally_. Both in private and public life, and especially [10] +through my teachings, it is well known that I am not a +spiritualist, a pantheist, or prayerless. The most devout +members of evangelical churches will say this, as well as +my intimate acquaintances. None are permitted to re- +main in my College building whose morals are not un- [15] +questionable. I have neither purchased nor ordered a +drug since my residence in Boston; and to my knowledge, +not one has been sent to my house, unless it was something +to remove stains or vermin. + +The report that I was dead arose no doubt from the [20] +combined efforts of some malignant students, expelled +from my College for immorality, to kill me: of their mental +design to do this I have proof, but no fear. My heavenly +Father will never leave me comfortless, in the amplitude +of His love; coming nearer in my need, more tenderly to [25] +save and bless. + + + + +Love + + +What a word! I am in awe before it. Over what +worlds on worlds it hath range and is sovereign! the un- + +[Page 250.] + +derived, the incomparable, the infinite All of good, the [1] +_alone_ God, is Love. + +By what strange perversity is the best become the most +abused,—either as a quality or as an entity? Mortals +misrepresent and miscall affection; they make it what [5] +it is not, and doubt what it is. The so-called affection +pursuing its victim is a butcher fattening the lamb to +slay it. What the lower propensities express, should be +repressed by the sentiments. No word is more mis- +construed; no sentiment less understood. The divine [10] +significance of Love is distorted into human qualities, +which in their human abandon become jealousy and +hate. + +Love is not something put upon a shelf, to be taken +down on rare occasions with sugar-tongs and laid on a [15] +rose-leaf. I make strong demands on love, call for active +witnesses to prove it, and noble sacrifices and grand +achievements as its results. Unless these appear, I cast +aside the word as a sham and counterfeit, having no ring +of the true metal. Love cannot be a mere abstraction, or [20] +goodness without activity and power. As a human quality, +the glorious significance of affection is more than words: +it is the tender, unselfish deed done in secret; the silent, +ceaseless prayer; the self-forgetful heart that overflows; +the veiled form stealing on an errand of mercy, out of a [25] +side door; the little feet tripping along the sidewalk; the +gentle hand opening the door that turns toward want and +woe, sickness and sorrow, and thus lighting the dark +places of earth. + +[Page 251.] + + + + +Address On The Fourth Of July At Pleasant View, Concord, N. H., Before +2,500 Members Of The Mother Church, 1897 + + +My beloved brethren, who have come all the way from +the Pacific to the Atlantic shore, from the Palmetto to the [5] +Pine Tree State, I greet you; my hand may not touch +yours to-day, but my heart will with tenderness untalkable. + +His Honor, Mayor Woodworth, has welcomed you to +Concord most graciously, voicing the friendship of this +city and of my native State—loyal to the heart’s core to [10] +religion, home, friends, and country. + +To-day we commemorate not only our nation’s civil +and religious freedom, but a greater even, the liberty of +the sons of God, the inalienable rights and radiant reality +of Christianity, whereof our Master said: “The works [15] +that I do shall he do;” and, “The kingdom of God cometh +not with observation” (with knowledge obtained from +the senses), but “the kingdom of God is within you,”— +within the present possibilities of mankind. + +Think of this inheritance! Heaven right here, where [20] +angels are as men, clothed more lightly, and men as angels +who, burdened for an hour, spring into liberty, and the +good they would do, that they do, and the evil they would +not do, that they do not. + +From the falling leaves of old-time faiths men learn a [25] +parable of the period, that all error, physical, moral, or +religious, will fall before Truth demonstrated, even as +dry leaves fall to enrich the soil for fruitage. + +Sin, sickness, and disease flee before the evangel of +Truth as the mountain mists before the sun. Truth is [30] + +[Page 252.] + +the tonic for the sick, and this medicine of Mind is not [1] +necessarily infinitesimal but infinite. Herein the mental +medicine of divine metaphysics and the medical systems +of allopathy and homœopathy differ. Mental medi- +cine gains no potency by attenuation, and its largest [5] +dose is never dangerous, but the more the better in every +case. + +Christian Science classifies thought thus: Right thoughts +are reality and power; wrong thoughts are unreality and +powerless, possessing the nature of dreams. Good thoughts [10] +are potent; evil thoughts are impotent, and they should +appear thus. Continuing this category, we learn that +sick thoughts are unreality and weakness; while healthy +thoughts are reality and strength. My proof of these +novel propositions is demonstration, whereby any man [15] +can satisfy himself of their verity. + +Christian Science is not only the acme of Science +but the crown of Christianity. It is universal. It ap- +peals to man as man; to the whole and not to a por- +tion; to man physically, as well as spiritually, and to all [20] +mankind. + +It has one God. It demonstrates the divine Principle, +rules and practice of the great healer and master of meta- +physics, Jesus of Nazareth. It spiritualizes religion and +restores its lost element, namely, healing the sick. It [25] +consecrates and inspires the teacher and preacher; it +equips the doctor with safe and sure medicine; it en- +courages and empowers the business man and secures +the success of honesty. It is the dear children’s toy and +strong tower; the wise man’s spiritual dictionary; the [30] +poor man’s money; yea, it is the pearl priceless whereof +our Master said, if a man findeth, he goeth and selleth + +[Page 253.] + +all that he hath and buyeth it. Buyeth it! Note the [1] +scope of that saying, even that Christianity is not merely +a gift, as St. Paul avers, but is bought with a price, a great +price; and what man knoweth as did our Master its +value, and the price that he paid for it? [5] + +Friends, I am not enough the new woman of the period +for outdoor speaking, and the incidental platform is not +broad enough for me, but the speakers that will now ad- +dress you—one a congressman—may improve our +platforms; and make amends for the nothingness of [10] +matter with the allness of Mind. + + + + +Well Doinge Is The Fruite Of Doinge Well + + +HERRICK + +This period is big with events. Fraught with history, +it repeats the past and portends much for the future. [15] + +The Scriptural metaphors,—of the woman in travail, +the great red dragon that stood ready to devour the child +as soon as it was born, and the husbandmen that said, +“This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the in- +heritance may be ours,”—are type and shadow of this [20] +hour. + +A mother’s love touches the heart of God, and should +it not appeal to human sympathy? Can a mother tell +her child one tithe of the agonies that gave that child +birth? Can that child conceive of the anguish, until she [25] +herself is become a mother? + +Do the children of this period dream of the spiritual +Mother’s sore travail, through the long night, that has +opened their eyes to the light of Christian Science? Cherish + +[Page 254.] + +these new-born children that filial obedience to which the [1] +Decalogue points with promise of prosperity? Should not +the loving warning, the far-seeing wisdom, the gentle entreaty, +the stern rebuke have been heeded, in return for +all that love which brooded tireless over their tender [5] +years? for all that love that hath fed them with Truth,— +even the bread that cometh down from heaven,—as the +mother-bird tendeth her young in the rock-ribbed nest of +the raven’s callow brood! + +And what of the hope of that parent whose children [10] +rise up against her; when brother slays brother, and +the strength of union grows weak with wickedness? +The victim of mad ambition that saith, “This is +the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance +may be ours,” goes on to learn that he must at last [15] +kill this evil in “self” in order to gain the kingdom +of God. + +Envy, the great red dragon of this hour, would obscure +the light of Science, take away a third part of the stars +from the spiritual heavens, and cast them to the earth. [20] +This is not Science. _Per contra_, it is the mortal mind +sense—mental healing on a material basis—hurling +its so-called healing at random, filling with hate its +deluded victims, or resting in silly peace upon the +laurels of headlong human will. “What shall, therefore, [25] +the Lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy +the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto +others.” + +[Page 255.] + + + + +Little Gods + + +It is sometimes said, cynically, that Christian Scien- +tists set themselves on pedestals, as so many petty deities; +but there is no fairness or propriety in the aspersion. + +Man is not equal to his Maker. That which is formed [5] +is not cause, but effect; and has no underived power. +But it is possible, and dutiful, to throw the weight of +thought and action on the side of right, and to be thus +lifted up. + +Man should be found not claiming equality with, but [10] +growing into, that altitude of Mind which was in Christ +Jesus. He should comprehend, in divine Science, a +recognition of what the apostle meant when he said: +“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that +we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; [15] +heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.” + + + + +Advantage Of Mind-Healing + + +It is sometimes asked, What are the advantages of your +system of healing? + +I claim for healing by Christian Science the following [20] +advantages:— + +_First:_ It does away with material medicine, and rec- +ognizes the fact that the antidote for sickness, as well +as for sin, may be found in God, the divine Mind. + +_Second:_ It is more effectual than drugs, and cures [25] +where they fail, because it is this divine antidote, and +metaphysics is above physics. + +[Page 256.] + +_Third:_ Persons who have been healed by Christian [1] +Science are not only cured of their belief in disease, but +they are at the same time improved morally. The body +is governed by Mind, and mortal mind must be corrected +in order to make the body harmonious. [5] + + + + +A Card + + +While gratefully acknowledging the public confidence +manifested in daily letters that protest against receiving +instruction in the Massachusetts Metaphysical College +from any other than Mrs. Eddy, I feel, deeply, that of [10] +necessity this imposes on me the severe task of remaining +at present a public servant: also, that this must prevent +my classes from forming as frequently as was an- +nounced in the October number of the _Journal_, and +necessitates receiving but a select number of students. [15] +To meet the old impediment, lack of time, that has oc- +casioned the irregular intervals between my class terms, +I shall continue to send to each applicant a notice from +one to two weeks previous to the opening term. + +MARY BAKER G. EDDY + + + + +Spirit And Law + + +We are accustomed to think and to speak of gravitation +as a law of matter; while every quality of matter, +in and of itself, is inert, inanimate, and non-intelligent. +The assertion that matter is a law, or a lawgiver, is [25] +anomalous. Wherever law is, Mind is; and the notion + +[Page 257.] + +that Mind can be in matter is rank infidelity, which either [1] +excludes God from the universe, or includes Him in every +mode and form of evil. Pantheism presupposes that +God sleeps in the mineral, dreams in the animal, and +wakes in a wicked man. [5] + +The distinction between that which is and that which +is not law, must be made by Mind and as Mind. Law is +either a moral or an immoral force. The law of God is +the law of Spirit, a moral and spiritual force of immor- +tal and divine Mind. The so-called law of matter is an [10] +immoral force of erring mortal mind, _alias_ the minds of +mortals. This so-called force, or law, at work in nature +as a power, prohibition, or license, is cruel and merciless. +It punishes the innocent, and repays our best deeds +with sacrifice and suffering. It is a code whose modes [15] +trifle with joy, and lead to immediate or ultimate death. +It fosters suspicion where confidence is due, fear where +courage is requisite, reliance where there should be +avoidance, a belief in safety where there is most +danger. Our Master called it “a murderer from the [20] +beginning.” + +Electricity, governed by this so-called law, sparkles +on the cloud, and strikes down the hoary saint. Floods +swallow up homes and households; and childhood, age, +and manhood go down in the death-dealing wave. Earth- [25] +quakes engulf cities, churches, schools, and mortals. +Cyclones kill and destroy, desolating the green earth. +This pitiless power smites with disease the good Samari- +tan ministering to his neighbor’s need. Even the chamber +where the good man surrenders to death is not exempt [30] +from this law. Smoothing the pillow of pain may infect +you with smallpox, according to this lawless law which + +[Page 258.] + +dooms man to die for loving his neighbor as himself,— [1] +when Christ has said that love is the fulfilling of the +law. + +Our great Ensample, Jesus of Nazareth, met and abol- +ished this unrelenting false claim of matter with the [5] +righteous scorn and power of Spirit. When, through +Mind, he restored sight to the blind, he figuratively and +literally spat upon matter; and, anointing the wounded +spirit with the great truth that God is All, he demon- +strated the healing power and supremacy of the law of [10] +Life and Love. + +In the spiritual Genesis of creation, all law was vested +in the Lawgiver, who was a law to Himself. In divine +Science, God is One and All; and, governing Himself, +He governs the universe. This is the law of creation: [15] +“My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in +heart.” And that infinite Mind governs all things. On +this infinite Principle of freedom, God named Him- +self, I AM. Error, or Adam, might give names to itself, +and call Mind by the name of matter, but error could [20] +neither name nor demonstrate Spirit. The name, I +AM, indicated no personality that could be paralleled +with it; but it did declare a mighty individuality, +even the everlasting Father, as infinite consciousness, +ever-presence, omnipotence; as all law, Life, Truth, and [25] +Love. + +God’s interpretation of Himself furnishes man with +the only suitable or true idea of Him; and the divine +definition of Deity differs essentially from the human. +It interprets the law of Spirit, not of matter. It explains [30] +the eternal dynamics of being, and shows that nature +and man are as harmonious to-day as in the beginning, + +[Page 259.] + +when “all things were made by Him; and without Him [1] +was not any thing made.” + +Whatever appears to be law, but partakes not of the +nature of God, is not law, but is what Jesus declared +it, “a liar, and the father of it.” God is the law of Life, [5] +not of death; of health, not of sickness; of good, not +of evil. It is this infinitude and oneness of good that +silences the supposition that evil is a claimant or a claim. +The consciousness of good has no consciousness or knowl- +edge of evil; and evil is not a quality to be known or [10] +eliminated by good: while iniquity, too evil to conceive +of good as being unlike itself, declares that God knows +iniquity! + +When the Lawgiver was the only law of creation, free- +dom reigned, and was the heritage of man; but this [15] +freedom was the moral power of good, not of evil: it +was divine Science, in which God is supreme, and the +only law of being. In this eternal harmony of Science, +man is not fallen: he is governed in the same rhythm +that the Scripture describes, when “the morning stars [20] +sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” + + + + +Truth-Healing + + +The spiritual elevator of the human race, physically, +morally, and Christianly, is the truism that Truth dem- +onstrates good, and is natural; while error, or evil, [25] +is really non-existent, and must have produced its own +illusion,—for it belongs not to nature nor to God. Truth +is the power of God which heals the sick and the sinner, +and is applicable to all the needs of man. It is the uni- + +[Page 260.] + +versal, intelligent Christ-idea illustrated by the life of [1] +Jesus, through whose “stripes we are healed.” By con- +flicts, defeats, and triumphs, Christian Science has been +reduced to the understanding of mortals, and found able +to heal them. [5] + +Pagan mysticism, Grecian philosophy, or Jewish reli- +gion, never entered into the line of Jesus’ thought or +action. His faith partook not of drugs, matter, nor of +the travesties of mortal mind. The divine Mind was +his only instrumentality and potency, in religion or medi- [10] +cine. The Principle of his cure was God, in the laws +of Spirit, not of matter; and these laws annulled all other +laws. + +Jesus knew that erring mortal thought holds only in +itself the supposition of evil, and that sin, sickness, and [15] +death are its subjective states; also, that pure Mind is +the truth of being that subjugates and destroys any sup- +positional or elementary opposite to Him who is All. + +Truth is supreme and omnipotent. Then, whatever +else seemeth to be intelligence or power is false, delud- [20] +ing reason and denying revelation, and seeking to dethrone +Deity. The truth of Mind-healing uplifts mankind, by +acknowledging pure Mind as absolute and entire, and +that evil is naught, although it seems to be. + +Pure Mind gives out an atmosphere that heals and [25] +saves. Words are not always the auxiliaries of Truth. +The spirit, and not the letter, performs the vital func- +tions of Truth and Love. Mind, imbued with this Science +of healing, is a law unto itself, needing neither license +nor prohibition; but lawless mind, with unseen motives, [30] +and silent mental methods whereby it may injure the +race, is the highest attenuation of evil. + +[Page 261.] + +Again: evil, as _mind_, is doomed, already sentenced, [1] +punished; for suffering is commensurate with evil, and +lasts as long as the evil. As _mind_, evil finds no escape +from itself; and the sin and suffering it occasions can +only be removed by reformation. [5] + +According to divine law, sin and suffering are not +cancelled by repentance or pardon. Christian Science +not only elucidates but demonstrates this verity of be- +ing; namely, that mortals suffer from the wrong they +commit, whether intentionally or ignorantly; that every [10] +effect and amplification of wrong will revert to the wrong- +doer, until he pays his full debt to divine law, and the +measure he has meted is measured to him again, full, +pressed down, and running over. Surely “the way of +the transgressor is hard.” [15] + +In this law of justice, the atonement of Christ loses +no efficacy. Justice is the handmaid of mercy, and show- +eth mercy by punishing sin. Jesus said, “I came not to +destroy the law,”—the divine requirements typified in +the law of Moses,—“but to fulfil it” in righteousness, [20] +by Truth’s destroying error. No greater type of divine +Love can be presented than effecting so glorious a purpose. +This spirit of sacrifice always has saved, and still saves +mankind; but by mankind I mean mortals, or a kind +of men after man’s own making. Man as God’s idea [25] +is already saved with an everlasting salvation. It is impossible +to be a Christian Scientist without apprehend- +ing the moral law so clearly that, for conscience’ sake, +one will either abandon his claim to even a knowledge +of this Science, or else make the claim valid. All Science [30] +is divine. Then, to be Science, it must produce physical +and moral harmony. + +[Page 262.] + +Dear readers, our _Journal_ is designed to bring health [1] +and happiness to all households wherein it is permitted +to enter, and to confer increased power to be good and +to do good. If you wish to brighten so pure a purpose, +you will aid our prospect of fulfilling it by your kind [5] +patronage of _The Christian Science Journal_, now enter- +ing upon its fifth volume, clad in Truth-healing’s new +and costly spring dress. + + + + +Heart To Heart + + +When the heart speaks, however simple the words, [10] +its language is always acceptable to those who have +hearts. + +I just want to say, I thank you, my dear students, who +are at work conscientiously and assiduously, for the good +you are doing. I am grateful to you for giving to the [15] +sick relief from pain; for giving joy to the suffering and +hope to the disconsolate; for lifting the fallen and strength- +ening the weak, and encouraging the heart grown faint +with hope deferred. We are made glad by the divine +Love which looseth the chains of sickness and sin, open- [20] +ing the prison doors to such as are bound; and we should +be more grateful than words can express, even through +this white-winged messenger, our _Journal_. + +With all the homage beneath the skies, yet were our +burdens heavy but for the Christ-love that makes them [25] +light and renders the yoke easy. Having his word, you +have little need of words of approval and encouragement +from me. Perhaps it is even selfish in me sometimes to +relieve my heart of its secrets, because I take so much + +[Page 263.] + +pleasure in thus doing; but if my motives are sinister, [1] +they will harm myself only, and I shall have the unself- +ish joy of knowing that the wrong motives are not yours, +to react on yourselves. + +These two words in Scripture suggest the sweetest [5] +similes to be found in any language—_rock_ and _feathers_: +“Upon this rock I will build my church;” “He shall +cover thee with His feathers.” How blessed it is to +think of you as “beneath the shadow of a great rock in +a weary land,” safe in His strength, building on His [10] +foundation, and covered from the devourer by divine +protection and affection. Always bear in mind that His +presence, power, and peace meet all human needs and +reflect all bliss. + + + + +Things To Be Thought Of + + +The need of their teacher’s counsel, felt by students, [16] +especially by those at a distance, working assiduously for +our common Cause,—and their constant petitions for +the same, should be met in the most effectual way. + +To be responsible for supplying this want, and poise [20] +the wavering balance on the right side, is impracticable +without a full knowledge of the environments. The +educational system of Christian Science lacks the aid +and protection of State laws. The Science is hampered +by immature demonstrations, by the infancy of its dis- [25] +covery, by incorrect teaching; and especially by unprin- +cipled claimants, whose mad ambition drives them to +appropriate my ideas and discovery, without credit, ap- +preciation, or a single original conception, while they + +[Page 264.] + +quote from other authors and give them credit for every [1] +random thought in line with mine. + +My noble students, who are loyal to Christ, Truth, and +human obligations, will not be disheartened in the midst +of this seething sea of sin. They build for time and eter- [5] +nity. The others stumble over misdeeds, and their own +unsubstantiality, without the groundwork of right, till, +like camera shadows thrown upon the mists of time, they +melt into darkness. + +Unity is the essential nature of Christian Science. Its [10] +Principle is One, and to demonstrate the divine One, +demands oneness of thought and action. + +Many students enter the Normal class of my College +whom I have not fitted for it by the Primary course. +They are taught their first lessons by my students; hence [15] +the aptness to assimilate pure and abstract Science is +somewhat untested. + +“As the twig is bent, the tree’s inclined.” As mortal +mind is directed, it acts for a season. Some students +leave my instructions before they are quite free from [20] +the bias of their first impressions, whether those be cor- +rect or incorrect. Such students are more or less subject +to the future mental influence of their former teacher. +Their knowledge of Mind-healing may be right theo- +retically, but the moral and spiritual status of thought [25] +must be right also. The tone of the teacher’s mind must +be pure, grand, true, to aid the mental development of +the student; for the tint of the instructor’s mind must +take its hue from the divine Mind. A single mistake in +metaphysics, or in ethics, is more fatal than a mistake in [30] +physics. + +If a teacher of Christian Science unwittingly or inten- + +[Page 265.] + +tionally offers his own thought, and gives me as authority [1] +for it; if he diverges from Science and knows it not, or, +knowing it, makes the venture from vanity, in order to +be thought original, or wiser than somebody else,—this +divergence widens. He grows dark, and cannot regain, [5] +at will, an upright understanding. This error in the +teacher also predisposes his students to make mistakes +and lose their way. Diverse opinions in Science are +stultifying. All must have _one_ Principle and the same +rule; and all _who follow the Principle and rule_ have but [10] +one opinion of it. + +Whosoever understands a single rule in Science, and +demonstrates its Principle according to rule, is master +of the situation. Nobody can gainsay this. The ego- +tistical theorist or shallow moralist may presume to [15] +make innovations upon simple proof; but his mistake +is visited upon himself and his students, whose minds +are, must be, disturbed by this discord, which extends +along the whole line of reciprocal thought. An error +in premise can never bring forth the real fruits of Truth. [20] +After thoroughly explaining spiritual Truth and its ethics +to a student, I am not morally responsible for the mis- +statements or misconduct of this student. My teachings +are uniform. Those who abide by them do well. If +others, who receive the same instruction, do ill, the fault [25] +is not in the culture but the soil. + +I am constantly called to settle questions and disaf- +fections toward Christian Science growing out of the +departures from Science of self-satisfied, unprincipled +students. If impatient of the loving rebuke, the stu- [30] +dent must stop at the foot of the grand ascent, and there +remain until suffering compels the downfall of his self- + +[Page 266.] + +conceit. Then that student must struggle up, with bleed- [1] +ing footprints, to the God-crowned summit of unselfish +and pure aims and affections. + +To be two-sided, when these sides are moral oppo- +sites, is neither politic nor scientific; and to abridge a [5] +single human right or privilege is an error. Whoever +does this may represent me as doing it; but he mistakes +me, and the subjective state of his own mind for mine. + +The true leader of a true cause is the unacknowledged +servant of mankind. Stationary in the background, this [10] +individual is doing the work that nobody else can or will +do. An erratic career is like the comet’s course, dash- +ing through space, headlong and alone. A clear-headed +and honest Christian Scientist will demonstrate the Prin- +ciple of Christian Science, and hold justice and mercy as [15] +inseparable from the unity of God. + + + + +Unchristian Rumor + + +The assertion that I have said hard things about my +loyal students in Chicago, New York, or any other place, +is utterly false and groundless. I speak of them as I feel, [20] +and I cannot find it in my heart not to love them. They +are essentially dear to me, who are toiling and achieving +success in unison with my own endeavors and prayers. +If I correct mistakes which may be made in teaching or +lecturing on Christian Science, this is in accordance with [25] +my students’ desires, and thus we mutually aid each other, +and obey the Golden Rule. + +The spirit of lies is abroad. Because Truth has spoken +aloud, error, running to and fro in the earth, is scream- + +[Page 267.] + +ing, to make itself heard above Truth’s voice. The [1] +audible and inaudible wail of evil never harms Scientists, +steadfast in their consciousness of the nothingness of +wrong and the supremacy of right. + +Our worst enemies are the best friends to our growth. [5] +Charity students, for whom I have sacrificed the most +time,—those whose chief aim is to injure me,—have +caused me to exercise most patience. When they report +me as “_hating_ those whom I do not love,” let them re- +member that there never was a time when I saw an op- [10] +portunity really to help them and failed to improve it; +and this, too, when I knew they were secretly striving +to injure me. + + + + +Vainglory + + +_Comparisons are odorous._—SHAKESPEARE + +Through all human history, the vital outcomes of [16] +Truth have suffered temporary shame and loss from +individual conceit, cowardice, or dishonesty. The bird +whose right wing flutters to soar, while the left beats its +way downward, falls to the earth. Both wings must be [20] +plumed for rarefied atmospheres and upward flight. + +Mankind must gravitate from sense to Soul, and human +affairs should be governed by Spirit, intelligent good. +The antipode of Spirit, which we name _matter_, or _non-_ +_intelligent evil_, is no real aid to being. The predisposing [25] +and exciting cause of all defeat and victory under the +sun, rests on this scientific basis: that action, in obedi- +ence to God, spiritualizes man’s motives and methods, +and crowns them with success; while disobedience to + +[Page 268.] + +this divine Principle materializes human modes and con- [1] +sciousness, and defeats them. + +Two personal queries give point to human action: Who +shall be greatest? and, Who shall be best? Earthly +glory is vain; but not vain enough to attempt pointing [5] +the way to heaven, the harmony of being. The imaginary +victories of rivalry and hypocrisy are defeats. The Holy +One saith, “O that thou hadst hearkened to My com- +mandments! then had thy peace been as a river.” He +is unfit for Truth, and the demonstration of divine power, [10] +who departs from Mind to matter, and from Truth to +error, in pursuit of better means for healing the sick and +casting out error. + +The Christian Scientist keeps straight to the course. +His whole inquiry and demonstration lie in the line of [15] +Truth; hence he suffers no shipwreck in a starless night +on the shoals of vainglory. His medicine is Mind— +the omnipotent and ever-present good. His “help is +from the Lord,” who heals body and mind, head and +heart; changing the affections, enlightening the mis- [20] +guided senses, and curing alike the sin and the mortal +sinner. God’s preparations for the sick are potions of +His own qualities. His therapeutics are antidotes for +the ailments of mortal mind and body. Then let us not +adulterate His preparations for the sick with material [25] +means. + +From lack of moral strength empires fall. Right alone +is irresistible, permanent, eternal. Remember that hu- +man pride forfeits spiritual power, and either vacillating +good or self-assertive error dies of its own elements. [30] +Through patience we must possess the sense of Truth; +and Truth is used to waiting. “Commit thy way unto + +[Page 269.] + +the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to [1] +pass.” + +By using falsehood to regain his liberty, Galileo vir- +tually lost it. He cannot escape from barriers who commits +his moral sense to a dungeon. Hear the Master [5] +on this subject: “No man can serve two masters: for +either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he +will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot +serve God and mammon.” + +Lives there a man who can better define ethics, better [10] +elucidate the Principle of being, than he who “spake as +never man spake,” and whose precepts and example have +a perpetual freshness in relation to human events? + +Who is it that understands, unmistakably, a fraction +of the actual Science of Mind-healing? [15] + +It is he who has fairly proven his knowledge on a Chris- +tian, mental, scientific basis; who has made his choice +between matter and Mind, and proven the divine Mind +to be the only physician. These are self-evident proposi- +tions: That man can only be Christianized through Mind; [20] +that without Mind the body is without action; that Science +is a law of divine Mind. The conclusion follows that the +correct Mind-healing is the proper means of Christianity, +and is Science. + +Christian Science may be sold in the shambles. Many [25] +are bidding for it,—but are not willing to pay the price. +Error is vending itself on trust, well knowing the will- +ingness of mortals to buy error at par value. The Reve- +lator beheld the opening of this silent mental seal, and +heard the great Red Dragon _whispering_ that “no man [30] +might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name +of the beast, or the number of his name.” + +[Page 270.] + +We are in the Valley of Decision. Then, let us take [1] +the side of him who “overthrew the tables of the money- +changers, and the seats of them that sold doves,”—of +such as barter integrity and peace for money and fame. +What artist would question the skill of the masters in [5] +sculpture, music, or painting? Shall we depart from the +example of the Master in Christian Science, Jesus of +Nazareth,—than whom mankind hath no higher ideal? +He who demonstrated his power over sin, disease, and +death, is the master Metaphysician. [10] + +To seek or employ other means than those the Master +used in demonstrating Life scientifically, is to lose the +priceless knowledge of his Principle and practice. He +said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His right- +eousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” [15] +Gain a pure Christianity; for that is requisite for heal- +ing the sick. Then you will need no other aid, and will +have full faith in his prophecy, “And there shall be one +fold, and one shepherd;” but, the Word must abide in +us, if we would obtain that promise. We cannot depart [20] +from his holy example,—we cannot leave Christ for the +schools which crucify him, and yet follow him in heal- +ing. Fidelity to his precepts and practice is the only pass- +port to his power; and the pathway of goodness and +greatness runs through the modes and methods of God. [25] + +“He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” + + + + +Compounds + + +Homœopathy is the last link in material medicine. +The next step is Mind-medicine. Among the foremost + +[Page 271.] + +virtues of homœopathy is the exclusion of compounds [1] +from its pharmacy, and the attenuation of a drug up to +the point of its disappearance as matter and its manifesta- +tion in effect as a thought, instead of a thing. + +Students of Christian Science (and many who are not [1] +students) understand enough of this to keep out of their +heads the notion that compounded metaphysics (so-called) +is, or can be, Christian Science,—that rests on oneness; +one cause and one effect. + +They should take our magazine, work for it, write for [10] +it, and read it. They should eschew all magazines and +books which are less than the best. + +“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Cleanse +your mind of the cobwebs which spurious “compounds” +engender. Before considering a subject that is unworthy [15] +of thought, take in this axiomatic truism: “Trust her +not, she’s fooling thee;” and Longfellow is right. + + + + +Close Of The Massachusetts Metaphysical College + + +Much is said at this date, 1889, about Mrs. Eddy’s [20] +Massachusetts Metaphysical College being the only +chartered College of Metaphysics. To make this plain, +the Publishing Committee of the Christian Scientist +Association has published in the _Boston Traveler_ the +following:— [25] + +“To benefit the community, and more strongly mark +the difference between true and false teachers of mental +healing, the following history and statistics are officially +submitted:— + +[Page 272.] + +“Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy obtained a college charter [1] +in January, 1881, with all the rights and privileges per- +taining thereunto (_including the right to grant degrees_) +under Act of 1874, Chapter 375, Section 4. + +“This Act was _repealed_ from and after January 31, [5] +1882. Mrs. Eddy’s grant for a college, for metaphysical +purposes _only_, is the first on record in history, and no +charters were granted for similar colleges, except hers, +from January, 1881, till the repealing of said Act in +January, 1882. [10] + +“The substance of this Act is at present incorporated +in Public Statutes, Chapter 115, Section 2, with the fol- +lowing important restrictions: In accordance with Statutes +of 1883, Chapter 268, any officer, agent, or servant of any +corporation or association, who confers, or authorizes [15] +to be conferred, any diploma or degree, shall be pun- +ished by a fine not less than five hundred dollars and +not more than one thousand dollars. + +“All the mind-healing colleges (except Rev. Mrs. +Eddy’s) have simply an incorporated grant, which may [20] +be called a charter, such as any stock company may ob- +tain for any secular purposes; but these so-called char- +ters bestow no rights to _confer degrees_. Hence to name +these institutions, under such charters, _colleges_, is a fraud- +ulent claim. There is but one legally chartered college [25] +of metaphysics, with powers to confer diplomas and de- +grees, and that is the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, +of which Rev. Mrs. Eddy is founder and president.” + +I have endeavored to act toward all students of Chris- +tian Science with the intuition and impulse of love. If [30] +certain natures have not profited by my rebukes,— + +[Page 273.] + +some time, as Christian Scientists, they will know the [1] +value of these rebukes. I am thankful that the neo- +phyte will be benefited by experience, although it will +cost him much, and in proportion to its worth. + +I close my College in order to work in other directions, [5] +where I now seem to be most needed, and where none +other can do the work. I withdraw from an overwhelm- +ing prosperity. My students have never expressed so +grateful a sense of my labors with them as now, and +never have been so capable of relieving my tasks as at [10] +present. + +God bless my enemies, as well as the better part of +mankind, and gather all my students, in the bonds of +love and perfectness, into one grand family of Christ’s +followers. [15] + +Loyal Christian Scientists should go on in their pres- +ent line of labor for a good and holy cause. Their insti- +tutes have not yet accomplished all the good they are +capable of accomplishing; therefore they should con- +tinue, as at present, to send out students from these [20] +sources of education, to promote the growing interest in +Christian Science Mind-healing. + +There are one hundred and sixty applications lying on +the desk before me, for the Primary class in the Massa- +chusetts Metaphysical College, and I cannot do my best [25] +work for a class which contains that number. When +these were taught, another and a larger number would +be in waiting for the same class instruction; and if I +should teach that Primary class, the other three classes— +one Primary and two Normal—would be delayed. [30] +The work is more than one person can well accomplish, +and the imperative call is for my exclusive teaching. + +[Page 274.] + +From the scant history of Jesus and of his disciples, [1] +we have no Biblical authority for a public institution. +This point, however, had not impressed me when I opened +my College. I desire to revise my book “Science and +Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and in order to do [5] +this I must stop teaching at present. The work that +needs to be done, and which God calls me to outside +of College work, if left undone might hinder the progress +of our Cause more than my teaching would advance it: +therefore I leave all for Christ. [10] + +Deeply regretting the disappointment this will occa- +sion, and with grateful acknowledgments to the public +for its liberal patronage, I close my College. + +MARY BAKER G. EDDY + + + + +Malicious Reports + + +_Truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter._—ISAIAH lix. 14. + +When the press is gagged, liberty is besieged; but +when the press assumes the liberty to lie, it discounts +clemency, mocks morality, outrages humanity, breaks +common law, gives impulse to violence, envy, and hate, [20] +and prolongs the reign of inordinate, unprincipled clans. +At this period, 1888, those quill-drivers whose consciences +are in their pockets hold high carnival. When news- +dealers shout for class legislation, and decapitated reputa- +tions, headless trunks, and quivering hearts are held up [25] +before the rabble in exchange for money, place, and +power, the _vox populi_ is suffocated, individual rights +are trodden under foot, and the car of the modern In- +quisition rolls along the streets besmeared with blood. + +[Page 275.] + +Would not our Master say to the chief actors in scenes [1] +like these, “Ye fools and blind!” Oh, tardy human +justice! would you take away even woman’s trembling, +clinging faith in divine power? Who can roll away the +stone from the door of this sepulchre? Who—but God’s [5] +avenging angel! + +In times like these it were well to lift the veil on the +sackcloth of home, where weepeth the faithful, stricken +mother, and the bruised father bendeth his aching head; +where the bereft wife or husband, silent and alone, looks [10] +in dull despair at the vacant seat, and the motherless +little ones, wondering, huddle together, and repeat with +quivering lips words of strange import. May the great +Shepherd that “tempers the wind to the shorn lamb,” +and binds up the wounds of bleeding hearts, just comfort, [15] +encourage, and bless all who mourn. + +Father, we thank Thee that Thy light and Thy love +reach earth, open the prison to them that are bound, con- +sole the innocent, and throw wide the gates of heaven. + + + + +Loyal Christian Scientists + + +Pen can never portray the satisfaction that you afforded +me at the grand meeting in Chicago of the National Chris- +tian Scientist Association in 1888. Your public and +private expressions of love and loyalty were very touch- +ing. They moved me to speechless thanks. [25] + +Chicago is the wonder of the western hemisphere. The +Palmer House, where we stopped, is magnificent and +orderly. The servants are well-mannered, and the fare +is appetizing. The floral offerings sent to my apartments + +[Page 276.] + +were superb, especially the large book of rare flowers, and [1] +the crescent with a star. + +The reception in the spacious rooms of the Palmer +House, like all else, was purely Western in its cordiality +and largeness. I did not hold interviews with all with [5] +whom I desired to, solely because so many people and +circumstances demanded my attention that my person- +ality was not big enough to fill the order; but rest as- +sured my heart’s desire met the demand. + +My students, our delegates, about one thousand Chris- [10] +tian Scientists, active, earnest, and loyal, formed a goodly +assemblage for the third convention of our National As- +sociation,—an assemblage found waiting and watching +for the full coming of our Lord and Christ. + +In Christian Science the midnight hour will always be [15] +the bridal hour, until “no night is there.” The wise +will have their lamps aglow, and light will illumine the +darkness. + +Out of the gloom comes the glory of our Lord, and +His divine Love is found in affliction. When a false [20] +sense suffers, the true sense comes out, and the bride- +groom appears. We are then wedded to a purer, higher +affection and ideal. + +I pray that all my students shall have their lamps +trimmed and burning at the noon of night, that not one [25] +of them be found borrowing oil, and seeking light from +matter instead of Spirit, or at work erroneously, thus +shutting out spiritual light. Such an error and loss will +be quickly learned when the door is shut. Error giveth +no light, and it closes the door on itself. [30] + +In the dark hours, wise Christian Scientists stand +firmer than ever in their allegiance to God. Wisdom + +[Page 277.] + +is wedded to their love, and their hearts are not [1] +troubled. + +Falsehood is on the wings of the winds, but Truth +will soar above it. Truth is speaking louder, clearer, +and more imperatively than ever. Error is walking to [5] +and fro in the earth, trying to be heard above Truth, +but its voice dies out in the distance. Whosoever pro- +claims Truth loudest, becomes the mark for error’s shafts. +The archers aim at Truth’s mouthpiece; but a heart +loyal to God is patient and strong. Justice waits, and [10] +is used to waiting; and right wins the everlasting +victory. + +The stake and scaffold have never silenced the mes- +sages of the Most High. Then can the present mode of +attempting this—namely, by slanderous falsehoods, and [15] +a secret mind-method, through which to effect the pur- +poses of envy and malice—silence Truth? Never. They +but open the eyes to the truth of Benjamin Franklin’s +report before the French Commissioners on Mesmerism: +“It is one more fact to be recorded in the history of the [20] +errors of the human mind.” + +“The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice.” + +No evidence before the material senses can close my +eyes to the scientific proof that God, good, is supreme. +Though clouds are round about Him, the divine justice [25] +and judgment are enthroned. Love is especially near +in times of hate, and never so near as when one can be +just amid lawlessness, and render good for evil. + +I thunder His law to the sinner, and sharply lighten +on the cloud of the intoxicated senses. I cannot help [30] +loathing the phenomena of drunkenness produced by +animality. I rebuke it wherever I see it. The vision + +[Page 278.] + +of the Revelator is before me. The wines of fornica- [1] +tion, envy, and hatred are the distilled spirits of evil, +and are the signs of these times; but I am not dismayed, +and my peace returns unto me. + +Error will hate more as it realizes more the presence [5] +of its tormentor. I shall fulfil my mission, fight the good +fight, and keep the faith. + +There is great joy in this consciousness, that through- +out my labors, and in my history as connected with the +Cause of Christian Science, it can be proven that I have [10] +never given occasion for a single censure, when my mo- +tives and acts are understood and seen as my Father +seeth them. I once wondered at the Scriptural declara- +tion that Job sinned not in all he said, even when he cursed +the hour of his birth; but I have learned that a curse on [15] +sin is always a blessing to the human race. + +Those only who are tried in the furnace reflect the +image of their Father. You, my beloved students, who +are absent from me, and have shared less of my labors +than many others, seem stronger to resist temptation [20] +than some of those who have had line upon line and +precept upon precept. This may be a serviceable hint, +since necessities and God’s providence are foreshadowed. +I have felt for some time that perpetual instruction of +my students might substitute my own for their growth, [25] +and so dwarf their experience. If they must learn by +the things they suffer, the sooner this lesson is gained +the better. + +For two years I have been gradually withdrawing from +active membership in the Christian Scientist Association. [30] +This has developed higher energies on the part of true +followers, and led to some startling departures on the + +[Page 279.] + +other hand. “Offenses will come: but woe unto him, [1] +through whom they come.” + +Why does not the certainty of individual punishment +for sin prevent the wrong action? It is the love of God, +and not the fear of evil, that is the incentive in Science. [5] +I rejoice with those who rejoice, and am too apt to weep +with those who weep, but over and above it all are eter- +nal sunshine and joy unspeakable. + + + + +The March Primary Class + + +TO THE PRIMARY CLASS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS METAPHYSICAL +COLLEGE, 571 COLUMBUS AVENUE, THAT ASSEMBLED FEB. 25, +1889, WITH AN ATTENDANCE OF SIXTY-FIVE STUDENTS + +My students, three picture-stories from the Bible pre- +sent themselves to my thought; three of those pictures +from which we learn without study. The first is that of [15] +Joshua and his band before the walls of Jericho. They +went seven times around these walls, the seven times +corresponding to the seven days of creation: the six days +are to find out the nothingness of matter; the seventh +is the day of rest, when it is found that evil is naught [20] +and good is all. + +The second picture is of the disciples met together in +an upper chamber; and they were of one mind. Mark, +that in the case of Joshua and his band they had all to +shout _together_ in order that the walls might fall; and the [25] +disciples, too, were of one mind. + +We, to-day, in this class-room, are enough to con- +vert the world if we are of one Mind; for then the whole +world will feel the influence of this Mind; as when + +[Page 280.] + +earth was without form, and Mind spake and form [1] +appeared. + +The third picture-lesson is from Revelation, where, at +the opening of the seals, one of the angels presented him- +self with balances to weigh the thoughts and actions of [5] +men; not angels with wings, but messengers of pure and +holy thoughts that say, See thou hurt not the holy things +of Truth. + +You have come to be weighed; and yet, I would not +weigh you, nor have you weighed. How is this? Be- [10] +cause God does all, and there is nothing in the opposite +scale. There are not two,—Mind _and_ matter. We +must get rid of that notion. As we commonly think, we +imagine all is well if we cast something into the scale of +Mind, but we must realize that Mind is not put into the [15] +scales with matter; then only are we working on one side +and in Science. + +The students of this Primary class, dismissed the fifth +of March, at close of the lecture on the fourth presented +their teacher with an elegant album costing fifty dollars, [20] +and containing beautiful hand-painted flowers on each +page, with their autographs. The presentation was made +in a brief address by Mr. D.A. Easton, who in appro- +priate language and metaphor expressed his fellow-students’ +thanks to their teacher. [25] + +On the morning of the fifth, I met the class to answer +some questions before their dismissal, and allude briefly +to a topic of great import to the student of Christian +Science,—the rocks and sirens in their course, on and +by which so many wrecks are made. The doors of animal [30] +magnetism open wide for the entrance of error, some- +times just at the moment when you are ready to enter on + +[Page 281.] + +the fruition of your labors, and with laudable ambition [1] +are about to chant hymns of victory for triumphs. + +The doors that this animal element flings open are +those of rivalry, jealousy, envy, revenge. It is the self- +asserting mortal will-power that you must guard against. [5] +But I find also another mental condition of yours that +fills me with joy. I learned long ago that the world could +neither deprive me of something nor give me anything, +and I have now one ambition and one joy. But if +one cherishes ambition unwisely, one will be chastened [10] +for it. + +Admiral Coligny, in the time of the French Huguenots, +was converted to Protestantism through a stray copy of +the Scriptures that fell into his hands. He replied to his +wife, who urged him to come out and confess his faith, [15] +“It is wise to count the cost of becoming a true Chris- +tian.” She answered him, “It is wiser to count the cost +of _not_ becoming a true Christian.” So, whatever we meet +that is hard in the Christian warfare we must count as +nothing, and must think instead, of our poverty and help- [20] +lessness without this understanding, and count ourselves +always as debtors to Christ, Truth. + +Among the gifts of my students, this of yours is one +of the most beautiful and the most costly, because you +have signed your names. I felt the weight of this yes- [25] +terday, but it came to me more clearly this morning when +I realized what a responsibility you assume when sub- +scribing to Christian Science. But, whatever may come +to you, remember the words of Solomon, “Though hand +join in hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished: but [30] +the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” + +You will need, in future, _practice_ more than theory. + +[Page 282.] + +You are going out to demonstrate a living faith, a true [1] +sense of the infinite good, a sense that does not limit God, +but brings to human view an enlarged sense of Deity. +Remember, it is personality, and the sense of personality +in God or in man, that limits man. [5] + + + + +Obtrusive Mental Healing + + +The question will present itself: Shall people be treated +mentally without their knowledge or consent? The +direct rule for practice of Christian Science is the Golden +Rule, “As ye would that men should do to you, do ye,” [10] +Who of us would have our houses broken open or our +locks picked? and much less would we have our minds +tampered with. + +Our Master said, “When ye enter a house, salute it.” +Prolonging the metaphysical tone of his command, I say, [15] +When you enter mentally the personal precincts of human +thought, you should know that the person with whom +you hold communion desires it. There are solitary ex- +ceptions to most given rules: the following is an exception +to the above rule of mental practice. [20] + +If the friends of a patient desire you to treat him with- +out his knowing it, and they believe in the efficacy of +Mind-healing, it is sometimes wise to do so, and the end +justifies the means; for he is restored through Christian +Science when other means have failed. One other oc- [25] +casion which may call for aid unsought, is a case from +accident, when there is no time for ceremony and no other +aid is near. + +The abuse which I call attention to, is promiscuous + +[Page 283.] + +and unannounced mental practice where there is no neces- [1] +sity for it, or the motive is mercenary, or one can to ad- +vantage speak the truth audibly; then the case is not +exceptional. As a rule, one has no more right to enter +the mind of a person, stir, upset, and adjust his thoughts [5] +without his knowledge or consent, than one has to enter +a house, unlock the desk, displace the furniture, and suit +one’s self in the arrangement and management of another +man’s property. + +It would be right to break into a burning building and [10] +rouse the slumbering inmates, but wrong to burst open +doors and break through windows if no emergency de- +manded this. Any exception to the old wholesome rule, +“Mind your own business,” is rare. For a student of +mine to treat another student without his knowledge, is [15] +a breach of good manners and morals; it is nothing less +than a mistaken kindness, a culpable ignorance, or a +conscious trespass on the rights of mortals. + +I insist on the etiquette of Christian Science, as well +as its morals and Christianity. The Scriptural rule of [20] +this Science may momentarily be forgotten; but this is +seldom the case with loyal students, or done without +incriminating the person who did it. + +Each student should, must, work out his own problem +of being; conscious, meanwhile, that God worketh with [25] +him, and that he needs no personal aid. It is the genius +of Christian Science to demonstrate good, not evil,— +harmony, not discord; for Science is the mandate of +Truth which destroys all error. + +Whoever is honestly laboring to learn the principle of [30] +music and practise it, seldom calls on his teacher or mu- +sician to practise for him. The only personal help re- + +[Page 284.] + +quired in this Science is for each one to do his own work [1] +well, and never try to hinder others from doing theirs +thus. + +Christian Science, more than any other system of +religion, morals, or medicine, is subject to abuses. Its [5] +infinite nature and uses occasion this. Even the human- +itarian at work in this field of limitless power and good +may possess a zeal without knowledge, and thus mistake +the sphere of his present usefulness. + +Students who strictly adhere to the right, and make the [10] +Bible and Science and Health a study, are in no danger +of mistaking their way. + +This question is often proposed, How shall I treat +malicious animal magnetism? The hour has passed for +this evil to be treated personally, but it should have been [15] +so dealt with at the outset. Christian Scientists should +have gone personally to the malpractitioner and told +him his fault, and vindicated divine Truth and Love +against human error and hate. This growing sin must +now be dealt with as evil, and not as an evil-doer or per- [20] +sonality It must also be remembered that neither an evil +claim nor an evil person is _real_, hence is neither to be +_feared_ nor honored. + +Evil is not something to fear and flee before, or that +becomes more real when it is grappled with. Evil let [25] +alone grows more real, aggressive, and enlarges its claims; +but, met with Science, it can and will be mastered by +Science. + +I deprecate personal animosities and quarrels. But if +one is intrusted with the rules of church government, to [30] +fulfil that trust those rules must be carried out; thus it +is with all moral obligations. I am opposed to all personal + +[Page 285.] + +attacks, and in favor of combating evil only, rather than [1] +person. + +An edition of one thousand pamphlets I ordered to +be laid away and not one of them circulated, because I +had been personal in condemnation. Afterwards, by a [5] +blunder of the gentleman who fills orders for my books, +some of these pamphlets were mistaken for the corrected +edition, and sold. + +Love is the fulfilling of the law. Human life is too +short for foibles or failures. _The Christian Science Jour-_ [10] +_nal_ will hold high the banner of Truth and Love, and be +impartial and impersonal in its tenor and tenets. + + + + +Wedlock + + +It was about the year 1875 that Science and Health +first crossed swords with free-love, and the latter fell _hors_ [15] +_de combat_; but the whole warfare of sensuality was not +then ended. Science and Health, the book that cast the +first stone, is still at work, deep down in human conscious- +ness, laying the axe at the root of error. + +We have taken the precaution to write briefly on mar- [20] +riage, showing its relation to Christian Science. In the +present or future, some extra throe of error may conjure +up a new-style conjugality, which, _ad libitum_, severs the +marriage covenant, puts virtue in the shambles, and +coolly notifies the public of broken vows. Springing [25] +up from the ashes of free-love, this nondescript phoenix, +in the face and eyes of common law, common sense, and +common honesty, may appear in the _rôle_ of a superfine +conjugality; but, having no Truth, it will have no past, +present, or future. [30] + +[Page 286.] + +The above prophecy, written years ago, has already [1] +been fulfilled. It is seen in Christian Science that the +gospel of marriage is not without the law, and the solemn +vow of fidelity, “until death do us part;” this verity in +human economy can neither be obscured nor throttled. [5] +Until time matures human growth, marriage and progeny +will continue unprohibited in Christian Science. We look +to future generations for ability to comply with absolute +Science, when marriage shall be found to be man’s one- +ness with God,—the unity of eternal Love. At present, [10] +more spiritual conception and education of children will +serve to illustrate the superiority of spiritual power over +sensuous, and usher in the dawn of God’s creation, +wherein they neither marry nor are given in marriage, +but are as the angels. To abolish marriage at this period, [15] +and maintain morality and generation, would put inge- +nuity to ludicrous shifts; yet this is possible in _Science_, +although it is to-day problematic. + +The time cometh, and now is, for spiritual and eternal +existence to be recognized and understood in Science. [20] +All is Mind. Human procreation, birth, life, and death +are subjective states of the human erring mind; they +are the phenomena of mortality, nothingness, that illus- +trate mortal mind and body as _one_, and neither real nor +eternal. [25] + +It should be understood that Spirit, God, is the only +creator: we should recognize this verity of being, and +shut out all sense of other claims. Until this absolute +Science of being is seen, understood, and demonstrated +in the offspring of divine Mind, and man is perfect even [30] +as the Father is perfect, human speculation will go on, +and stop at length at the spiritual ultimate: creation + +[Page 287.] + +understood as the most exalted divine conception. The [1] +offspring of an improved generation, however, will go out +before the forever fact that man is eternal and has no +human origin. Hence the Scripture: “It is He that hath +made us, and not we ourselves;” and the Master’s de- [5] +mand, “Call no man your father upon the earth: for one +is your Father, which is in heaven.” + +To an ill-attuned ear, discord is harmony; so personal +sense, discerning not the legitimate affection of Soul, +may place love on a false basis and thereby lose it. Science [10] +corrects this error with the truth of Love, and restores +lost Eden. Soul is the infinite source of bliss: only high +and holy joy can satisfy immortal cravings. The good +in human affections should preponderate over the evil, +and the spiritual over the animal,—until progress lifts [15] +mortals to discern the Science of mental formation and +find the highway of holiness. + +In the order of wisdom, the higher nature of man +governs the lower. This lays the foundations of human +affection in line with progress, giving them strength and [20] +permanence. + +When asked by a wife or a husband important ques- +tions concerning their happiness, the substance of my reply +is: God will guide you. Be faithful over home rela- +tions; they lead to higher joys: obey the Golden Rule [25] +for human life, and it will spare you much bitterness. +It is pleasanter to do right than wrong; it makes one +ruler over one’s self and hallows home,—which is woman’s +world. Please your husband, and he will be apt to please +you; preserve affection on both sides. [30] + +Great mischief comes from attempts to steady other +people’s altars, venturing on valor without discretion, + +[Page 288.] + +which is virtually meddlesomeness. Even your sincere [1] +and courageous convictions regarding what is best for +others may be mistaken; you must be demonstratively +right yourself, and work out the greatest good to the +greatest number, before you are sure of being a fit coun- [5] +sellor. Positive and imperative thoughts should be dropped +into the balances of God and weighed by spiritual Love, +and not be found wanting, before being put into action. +A rash conclusion that regards only one side of a ques- +tion, is weak and wicked; this error works out the results [10] +of error. If the premise of mortal existence is wrong, +any conclusion drawn therefrom is not absolutely right. +Wisdom in human action begins with what is nearest +right under the circumstances, and thence achieves the +absolute. [15] + +Is marriage nearer right than celibacy? + +Human knowledge inculcates that it is, while Science +indicates that it _is not_. But to force the consciousness +of scientific being before it is understood is impossible, +and believing otherwise would prevent scientific demon- [20] +stration. To reckon the universal cost and gain, as well +as thine own, is right in every state and stage of being. +The selfish _rôle_ of a martyr is the shift of a dishonest +mind, nothing short of self-seeking; and real suffering +would stop the farce. [25] + +The cause of temperance receives a strong impulse +from the cause of Christian Science: temperance and +truth are allies, and their cause prospers in proportion +to the spirit of Love that nerves the struggle. People +will differ in their opinions as to means to promote the [30] +ends of temperance; that is, abstinence from intoxicat- +ing beverages. Whatever intoxicates a man, stultifies, + +[Page 289.] + +and causes him to degenerate physically and morally. [1] +Strong drink is unquestionably an evil, and evil cannot +be used temperately: its slightest use is abuse; hence +the only temperance is total abstinence. Drunkenness +is sensuality let loose, in whatever form it is made [5] +manifest. + +What is evil? It is suppositional absence of good. +From a human standpoint of good, mortals must first +choose between evils, and of two evils choose the less; +and at present the application of scientific rules to hu- [10] +man life seems to rest on this basis. + +All partnerships are formed on agreements to certain +compacts: each party voluntarily surrenders independ- +ent action to act as a whole and per agreement. This +fact should be duly considered when by the marriage [15] +contract two are made one, and, according to the divine +precept, “they twain shall be one flesh.” Oneness in +spirit is Science, compatible with home and heaven. +Neither divine justice nor human equity has _divorced_ +two minds in one. [20] + +Rights that are bargained away must not be retaken +by the contractors, except by mutual consent. Human +nature has bestowed on a wife the right to become a +mother; but if the wife esteems not this privilege, by +mutual consent, exalted and increased affections, she [25] +may win a higher. Science touches the conjugal ques- +tion on the basis of a bill of rights. Can the bill of con- +jugal rights be fairly stated by a magistrate, or by a +minister? Mutual interests and affections are the spirit +of these rights, and they should be consulted, augmented, [30] +and allowed to rise to the spiritual altitude whence they +can choose only good. + +[Page 290.] + +A third person is not a party to the compact of two [1] +hearts. Let other people’s marriage relations _alone_: two +persons only, should be found within their precincts. +The nuptial vow is never annulled so long as the animus +of the contract is preserved intact. Science lifts humanity [5] +higher in the scale of harmony, and must ultimately break +all bonds that hinder progress. + + + + +Judge Not + + +Mistaken views ought to be dissolving views, since +whatever is false should disappear. To suppose that hu- [10] +man love, guided by the divine Principle, which is Love, +is partial, unmerciful, or unjust, indicates misapprehen- +sion of the divine Principle and its workings in the human +heart. + +A person wrote to me, naming the time of the occur- [15] +rence, “I felt the influence of your thought on my mind, +and it produced a wonderful illumination, peace, and +understanding;” but, I had not thought of the writer +at that time. I knew that this person was doing well, +and my affections involuntarily flow out towards all. [20] + +When will the world cease to judge of causes from a +personal sense of things, conjectural and misapprehen- +sive! When thought dwells in God,—and it should not, +to our consciousness, dwell elsewhere,—one must bene- +fit those who hold a place in one’s memory, whether it [25] +be friend or foe, and each share the benefit of that radia- +tion. This individual blessedness and blessing comes +not so much from individual as from universal love: it +emits light because it reflects; and all who are receptive +share this equally. [30] + +[Page 291.] + +Mistaken or transient views are human: they are not [1] +governed by the Principle of divine Science: but the +notion that a mind governed by Principle can be forced +into personal channels, affinities, self-interests, or obliga- +tions, is a grave mistake; it dims the true sense of God’s [5] +reflection, and darkens the understanding that demon- +strates above personal motives, unworthy aims and +ambitions. + +Too much and too little is attached to me as authority +for other people’s thoughts and actions. A tacit acqui- [10] +escence with others’ views is often construed as direct +orders,—or at least it so appears in results. I desire +the equal growth and prosperity of all Christian Scien- +tists, and the world in general; each and every one has +equal opportunity to be benefited by my thoughts and [15] +writings. If any are not partakers thereof, this is not +my fault, and is far from my desire; the possible per- +version of Christian Science is the irony of fate, if the +spirit thereof be lacking. I would part with a blessing +myself to bestow it upon others, but could not deprive [20] +them of it. False views, however engendered, relative +to the true and unswerving course of a Christian Scientist, +will at length dissolve into thin air. The dew of heaven +will fall gently on the hearts and lives of all who are found +worthy to suffer for righteousness,—and have taught [25] +the truth which is energizing, refreshing, and consecrat- +ing mankind. + +To station justice and gratitude as sentinels along the +lines of thought, would aid the solution of this problem, +and counteract the influence of envious minds or the mis- [30] +guided individual who keeps not watch over his emotions +and conclusions. + +[Page 292.] + + + + +New Commandment + + +The divinity of St. John’s Gospel brings to view over- [1] +whelming tides of revelation, and its spirit is baptismal; +he chronicles this teaching, “A new commandment I +give unto you, That ye love one another.” [5] + +Jesus, who so loved the world that he gave his life +(in the flesh) for it, saw that Love had a new command- +ment even for him. What was it? + +It must have been a rare revelation of infinite Love, a +new tone on the scale ascending, such as eternity is ever [10] +sounding. Could I impart to the student the higher +sense I entertain of Love, it would partly illustrate the +divine energy that brings to human weakness might and +majesty. Divine Love eventually causes mortals to turn +away from the open sepulchres of sin, and look no more [15] +into them as realities. It calls loudly on them to bury +the dead out of sight; to forgive and forget whatever is +unlike the risen, immortal Love; and to shut out all op- +posite sense. Christ enjoins it upon man to help those +who know not what he is doing in their behalf, and there- [20] +fore curse him; enjoins taking them by the hand and +leading them, if _possible_, to Christ, by loving words and +deeds. Charity thus serves as admonition and instruc- +tion, and works out the purposes of Love. + +Christian Science, full of grace and truth, is accom- [25] +plishing great good, both seen and unseen; but have +mortals, with the penetration of Soul, searched the secret +chambers of sense? I never knew a student who fully +understood my instructions on this point of handling +evil,—as to just how this should be done,—and carried [30] + +[Page 293.] + +out my ideal. It is safe not to teach prematurely the [1] +infant thought in Christian Science—just breathing new +Life and Love—all the claims and modes of evil; there- +fore it is best to leave the righteous unfolding of error +(as a general rule) alone, and to the special care of the [5] +unerring modes of divine wisdom. This uncovering and +punishing of sin must, will come, at some date, to the +rescue of humanity. The teacher of divine metaphysics +should impart to his students the general knowledge that +he has gained from instruction, observation, and mental [10] +practice. + +Experience weighs in the scales of God the sense and +power of Truth against the opposite claims of error. +If spiritual sense is not dominant in a student, he will +not understand all your instructions; and if evil domi- [15] +nates his character, he will pervert the rules of Christian +Science, and the last error will be worse than the first— +inasmuch as wilful transgression brings greater torment +than ignorance. + + + + +A Cruce Salus + + +The sum total of Love reflected is exemplified, and [21] +includes the whole duty of man: Truth perverted, in +belief, becomes the creator of the claim of error. To +affirm mentally and audibly that God is All and there is +no sickness and no sin, makes mortals either saints or [25] +sinners. + +Truth talked and not lived, rolls on the human heart +a stone; consigns sensibility to the charnel-house of sen- +suality, ease, self-love, self-justification, there to moulder +and rot. [30] + +[Page 294.] + +The noblest work of God is man in the image of his [1] +Maker; the last infirmity of evil is so-called man, swayed +by the maëlstrom of human passions, elbowing the con- +cepts of his own creating, making place for himself and +displacing his fellows. [5] + +A real Christian Scientist is a marvel, a miracle in the +universe of mortal mind. With selfless love, he inscribes +on the heart of humanity and transcribes on the page +of reality the living, palpable presence—the might and +majesty!—of goodness. He lives for all mankind, and [10] +honors his creator. + +The _vice versa_ of this man is sometimes called a +man, but he is a small animal: a hived bee, with sting +ready for each kind touch, he makes honey out of +the flowers of human hearts and hides it in his cell of [15] +ingratitude. + +O friendly hand! keep back thy offerings from asps +and apes, from wolves in sheep’s clothing and all raven- +ing beasts. Love such specimens of mortality just enough +to reform and transform them,—if it be possible,— [20] +and then, look out for their stings, and jaws, and claws; +but thank God and take courage,—that you desire to +help even such as these. + + + + +Comparison to English Barmaids + + +Since my residence in Concord, N. H., I have read [25] +the daily paper, and had become an admirer of Edgar +L. Wakeman’s terse, graphic, and poetic style in his +“Wanderings,” richly flavored with the true ideas of +humanity and equality. In an issue of January 17, how- + +[Page 295.] + +ever, were certain references to American women which [1] +deserve and elicit brief comment. + +Mr. Wakeman writes from London, that a noted Eng- +lish leader, whom he quotes without naming, avers that +the “cursed barmaid system” in England is evolved by [5] +the same power which in America leads women “along +a gamut of isms and ists, from female suffrage, past a +score of reforms, to Christian Science.” This anony- +mous talker further declares, that the central cause of +this “same original evil” is “a female passion for some [10] +manner of notoriety.” + +Is Mr. Wakeman _awake_, and caught napping? While +praising the Scotchman’s national pride and affection, +has our American correspondent lost these sentiments +from his own breast? Has he forgotten how to honor [15] +his native land and defend the dignity of her daughters +with his ready pen and pathos? + +The flaunting and floundering statements of the great +unknown for whose ability and popularity Mr. Wakeman +strongly vouches, should not only be queried, but flatly [20] +contradicted, as both untrue and uncivil. English senti- +ment is not wholly represented by one man. Nor is the +world ignorant of the fact that high and pure ethical +tones do resound from Albion’s shores. The most ad- +vanced ideas are inscribed on tablets of such an organi- [25] +zation as the Victoria Institute, or Philosophical Society +of Great Britain, an institution which names itself after +her who is unquestionably the best queen on earth; who +for a half century has with such dignity, clemency, and +virtue worn the English crown and borne the English [30] +sceptre. + +Now, I am a Christian Scientist,—the Founder of + +[Page 296.] + +this system of religion,—widely known; and, by special [1] +invitation, have allowed myself to be elected an associate +life-member of the Victoria Institute, which numbers +among its constituents and managers—not barmaids, +but bishops—profound philosophers, brilliant scholars. [5] + +Was it ignorance of American society and history, +together with unfamiliarity with the work and career +of American women, which led the unknown author +cited by Mr. Wakeman to overflow in shallow sarcasm, +and place the barmaids of English alehouses and rail- [10] +ways in the same category with noble women who min- +ister in the sick-room, give their time and strength to +binding up the wounds of the broken-hearted, and live +on the plan of heaven? + +This writer classes Christian Science with theosophy [15] +and spiritualism; whereas, they are by no means iden- +tical—nor even similar. Christian Science, antagonis- +tic to intemperance, as to all immorality, is by no means +associated therewith. Do manly Britons patronize tap- +rooms and lazar-houses, and thus note or foster a fem- [20] +inine ambition which, in this unknown gentleman’s +language, “poises and poses, higgles and wriggles” it- +self into publicity? Why fall into such patronage, unless +from their affinity for the worst forms of vice? + +And the barmaids! Do they enter this line of occu- [25] +pation from a desire for notoriety and a wish to promote +female suffrage? or are they incited thereto by their +own poverty and the bad appetites of men? What man- +ner of man _is_ this unknown individual who utters bar- +maid and Christian Scientist in the same breath? If he [30] +but knew whereof he speaks, _his_ shame would not lose +its blush! + +[Page 297.] + +Taking into account the short time that has elapsed [1] +since the discovery of Christian Science, one readily sees +that this Science has distanced all other religious and +pathological systems for physical and moral reforma- +tion. In the direction of temperance it has achieved far [5] +more than has been accomplished by legally coercive +measures,—and because this Science bases its work on +ethical conditions and mentally destroys the appetite for +alcoholic drinks. + +Smart journalism is allowable, nay, it is commend- [10] +able; but the public cannot swallow reports of American +affairs from a surly censor ventilating his lofty scorn of +the sects, or societies, of a nation that perhaps he has +never visited. + + + + +A Christian Science Statute + + +I hereby state, in unmistakable language, the follow- [16] +ing statute in the _morale_ of Christian Science:— + +A man or woman, having voluntarily entered into +wedlock, and accepted the claims of the marriage cove- +nant, is held in Christian Science as morally bound to [20] +fulfil all the claims growing out of this contract, unless +such claims are relinquished by mutual consent of both +parties, or this contract is legally dissolved. If the man +is dominant over the animal, he will count the conse- +quences of his own conduct; will consider the effects, [25] +on himself and his progeny, of selfishness, unmerciful- +ness, tyranny, or lust. + +Trust Truth, not error; and Truth will give you all +that belongs to the rights of freedom. The Hebrew bard + +[Page 298.] + +wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean [1] +not unto thine own understanding.” Nothing is gained +by wrong-doing. St. Paul’s words take in the situation: +“Not ... (as we be slanderously reported, and as some +affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? [5] +whose damnation is just.” + +When causing others to go astray, we also are wan- +derers. “With what measure ye mete, it shall be meas- +ured to you again.” Ask yourself: Under the same +circumstances, in the same spiritual ignorance and power [10] +of passion, would I be strengthened by having my best +friend break troth with me? These words of St. Matthew +have special application to Christian Scientists; namely, +“It is not good to marry.” + +To build on selfishness is to build on sand. When [15] +Jesus received the material rite of water baptism, he did +not say that it was God’s command; but implied that +the period demanded it. Trials purify mortals and deliver +them from themselves,—all the claims of sensuality. +Abide by the _morale_ of absolute Christian Science,— [20] +self-abnegation and purity; then Truth delivers you from +the seeming power of error, and faith vested in righteous- +ness triumphs! + + + + +Advice To Students + + +The true consciousness is the true health. One says, [25] +“I find relief from pain in unconscious sleep.” I say, +You mistake; through unconsciousness one no more +gains freedom from pain than immunity from evil. When +unconscious of a mistake, one thinks he is not mistaken; +but this false consciousness does not change the fact, or [30] + +[Page 299.] + +its results; suffering and mistakes recur until one is awake [1] +to their cause and character. To know the what, when, +and how of error, destroys error. The error that is seen +aright as error, has received its death-blow; but never +until then. [5] + +Let us look through the lens of Christian Science, +not of “self,” at the following mistake, which demands +our present attention. I have no time for detailed report +of this matter, but simply answer the following question +sent to me; glad, indeed, that this query has finally come [10] +with the courage of conviction to the minds of many +students. + +“Is it right to copy your works and read them for our +public services?” + +The good which the material senses see not is the only [15] +absolute good; the evil which these senses see not is the +only absolute evil. + +If I enter Mr. Smith’s store and take from it his gar- +ments that are on sale, array myself in them, and put +myself and them on exhibition, can I make this right [20] +by saying, These garments are Mr. Smith’s; he manu- +factured them and owns them, but you must pay me, +not him, for this exhibit? + +The spectators may ask, Did he give you permission +to do this, did he sell them or loan them to you? No. [25] +Then have you asked yourself this question on the sub- +ject, namely, What right have I to do this? True, it +saves your purchasing these garments, and gives to the +public new patterns which are useful to them; but does +this silence your conscience? or, because you have con- [30] +fessed that they are the property of a noted firm, and +you wished to handle them, does it justify you in appro- + +[Page 300.] + +priating them, and so avoiding the cost of hiring or [1] +purchasing? + +Copying my published works _verbatim_, compiling them +in connection with the Scriptures, taking this copy into +the pulpit, announcing the author’s name, then reading [5] +it publicly as your own compilation, is—what? + +We answer, It is a mistake; in common parlance, it +is an _ignorant_ wrong. + +If you should print and publish your copy of my works, +you would be liable to arrest for infringement of copy- [10] +right, which the law defines and punishes as theft. Read- +ing in the pulpit from copies of my publications gives +you the clergyman’s salary and spares you the printer’s +bill, but does it spare you our Master’s condemnation? +You literally publish my works through the pulpit, instead [15] +of the press, and thus evade the law, _but not the gospel_. +When I consent to this act, you will then be justified +in it. + +Your manuscript copy is liable, in some way, to be +printed as your original writings, thus incurring the pen- [20] +alty of the law, and increasing the record of theft in the +United States Circuit Court. + +To The Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, which I +had organized and of which I had for many years been +pastor, I gave permission to cite, in the _Christian Science_ [25] +_Quarterly_, from my work Science and Health, passages +giving the spiritual meaning of Bible texts; but this was +a special privilege, and the author’s gift. + +Christian Science demonstrates that the patient who +pays whatever he is able to pay for being healed, is more [30] +apt to recover than he who withholds a slight equiva- +lent for health. Healing morally and physically are one. + +[Page 301.] + +Then, is compiling and delivering that sermon for which [1] +you pay nothing, and which you deliver without the +author’s consent, and receive pay therefor, the _precedent_ +for preaching Christian Science,—and are you doing +to the author of the above-named book as you would [5] +have others do unto you? + +Those authors and editors of pamphlets and periodi- +cals whose substance is made up of my publications, are +morally responsible for what the law construes as crime. +There are startling instances of the above-named law- [10] +breaking and gospel-opposing system of authorship, which +characterize the writings of a few professed Christian +Scientists. My Christian students who have read copies +of my works in the pulpit require only a word to be wise; +too sincere and morally statuesque are they to be long [15] +led into temptation; but I must not leave persistent +plagiarists without this word of warning in public, since +my private counsel they disregard. + +To the question of my true-hearted students, “Is it +right to copy your works and read them for our public [20] +services?” I answer: It is not right to copy my book +and read it publicly _without my consent_. My reasons are +as follows:— + +_First:_ This method is an unseen form of injustice +standing in a holy place. [25] + +_Second:_ It breaks the Golden Rule,—a divine rule +for human conduct. + +_Third:_ All error tends to harden the heart, blind +the eyes, stop the ears of understanding, and inflate +self; counter to the commands of our hillside Priest, to [30] +whom Isaiah alluded thus: “I have trodden the wine- +press alone; and of the people there was none with me.” + +[Page 302.] + +Behind the scenes lurks an evil which you can prevent: [1] +it is a purpose to kill the reformation begun and increas- +ing through the instructions of “Science and Health with +Key to the Scriptures;” it encourages infringement of my +copyright, and seeks again to “cast lots for his vesture,”—while [5] +the perverter preserves in his own consciousness +and teaching the name without the Spirit, the skeleton +without the heart, the form without the comeliness, the +sense without the Science, of Christ’s healing. My stu- +dents are expected to know the teaching of Christian Sci- [10] +ence sufficiently to discriminate between error and Truth, +thus sparing their teacher a task and themselves the +temptation to be misled. + +Much good has been accomplished through Christian +Science Sunday services. If Christian Scientists occasion- [15] +ally mistake in interpreting revealed Truth, of two evils +the less would be _not_ to leave the Word unspoken and +untaught. I allowed, till this permission was _withdrawn_, +students working faithfully for Christ’s cause on earth, +the privilege of copying and reading my works for Sunday [20] +service; _provided_, they each and all destroyed the copies +at once after said service. When I should so elect and +give suitable notice, they were to desist from further copy- +ing of my writings as aforesaid. + +This injunction did not curtail the benefit which the [25] +student derived from making his copy, nor detract from +the good that his hearers received from his reading thereof; +but it was intended to forestall the possible evil of putting +the divine teachings contained in “Science and Health +with Key to the Scriptures” into human hands, to sub- [30] +vert or to liquidate. + +I recommend that students stay within their own fields + +[Page 303.] + +of labor, to work for the race; they are lights that can- [1] +not be hid, and need only to shine from their home sum- +mits to be sought and found as healers physical and +moral. + +The kindly shepherd has his own fold and tends his [5] +own flock. Christian students should have their own +institutes and, _unmolested_, be governed by divine Love +alone in teaching and guiding their students. When +wisdom garrisons these strongholds of Christian Science, +peace and joy, the fruits of Spirit, will rest upon us all. [10] +We are brethren in the fullest sense of that word; there- +fore no queries should arise as to “who shall be great- +est.” Let us serve instead of rule, knock instead of +push at the door of human hearts, and allow to each +and every one the same rights and privileges that we [15] +claim for ourselves. If ever I wear out from serving +students, it shall be in the effort to help them to obey +the Ten Commandments and imbibe the spirit of Christ’s +Beatitudes. + + + + +Notice + + +_Editor of Christian Science Journal_:—You will oblige +me by giving place in your _Journal_ to the following notice. +The idea and purpose of a Liberty Bell is pleasing, and +can be made profitable to the heart of our country. I feel +assured that many Christian Scientists will respond to this [25] +letter by contributions. + +MARY BAKER EDDY + +[Page 304.] + +COLUMBIAN LIBERTY BELL COMMITTEE, [1] + 1505 Penna. Ave., Washington, D. C. + +TO THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION:— + +It has been determined to create a Columbian Liberty +Bell, to be placed by the lovers of liberty and peace in [5] +the most appropriate place in the coming World’s Expo- +sition at Chicago. After the close of the Exhibition this +bell will pass from place to place throughout the world +as a missionary of freedom, coming first to the capital +of the nation under the care of our society. [10] + +Then it will go to Bunker Hill or Liberty Island, to +the battle-field of New Orleans (1812), to San Francisco, +to the place where any great patriotic celebration is being +held, until 1900, when it will be sent to the next World’s +Exhibition, which takes place at Paris, France. There it [15] +will continue until that Exhibition closes. + +When not in use in other places, it will return to Wash- +ington under the care of the Daughters of the American +Revolution. Washington will be its home, and from there +it will journey from place to place, fulfilling its mission [20] +throughout the world. + +The following is the proposed use of the bell: It shall +ring at sunrise and sunset; at nine o’clock in the morn- +ing on the anniversaries of the days on which great events +have occurred marking the world’s progress toward liberty; [25] +at twelve o’clock on the birthdays of the “creators of +liberty;” and at four o’clock it will toll on the anniver- +saries of their death. (It will always ring at nine o’clock +on October 11th, in recognition of the organization on +that day of the Daughters of the American Revolution.) [30] +... The responsibility of its production, and the direc- +tion of its use, have been placed in the hands of a + +[Page 305.] + +committee of women representing each State and Ter- [1] +ritory, one representative from each Republic in the +world, and a representative from the patriotic societies, +—Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution, +the Lyceum League of America, the Society of Ger- [5] +man Patriots, the Human Freedom League, and kindred +organizations. + +The National Board of Management has placed upon +me the responsibility of representing the National Society +of the Daughters of the American Revolution upon the [10] +General Committee, and this circular is sent to every +member of the society, asking for her personal coopera- +tion in making the undertaking successful. In creating +the bell it is particularly desired that the largest number +of persons possible shall have a part in it. For this reason [15] +small contributions from many persons are to be asked +for, rather than large contributions from a few. They +are to be of two kinds:— + +_First:_ Material that can be made a part of the bell; +articles of historic interest will be particularly appre- [20] +ciated—gold, silver, bronze, copper, and nickel can be +fused. + +_Second:_ Of money with which to pay for the bell. +Each member of the society is asked to contribute one +cent to be fused into the bell, and twenty-five cents to [25] +pay for it. She is also asked to collect two dollars from +others, in pennies, if possible, and send with the amount +the name of each contributor. In order that the bell +shall be cast April 30th, the anniversary of the inaugu- +ration of George Washington as the first President of [30] +the United States, we ask every one receiving this cir- +cular _to act at once_. + +[Page 306.] + +In forwarding material to be melted into the bell, please [1] +send fullest historical description. This will be entered +carefully in a book which will accompany the bell wherever +it goes. + +... As the motto has not yet been decided upon, any [5] +ideas on that subject will be gratefully received; we will +also welcome suggestions of events to be celebrated and +names to be commemorated. + + Very cordially yours, + MARY DESHA, +_ex-Vice-President General, D. A. R._ + +Contributions should be sent to the Liberty National +Bank, corner Liberty and West Streets, New York, and +a duplicate letter written, as a notification of the same, +to Miss Mary Desha, 1505 Penna. Ave., Washington, [15] +D. C., or to Miss Minnie F. Mickley, Mickleys, Pa. + +We would add, as being of interest, that Mrs. Eddy is +a member of the above organization, having been made +such by the special request of the late Mrs. Harrison, +wife of the ex-President, who was at that time the Presi- [20] +dent thereof.—ED. + + + + +Angels + + +When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, [1] +nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but +we know their presence by the love they create in our [25] +hearts. Oh, may you feel _this_ touch,—it is not the +clasping of hands, nor a loved person present; it is more +than this: it is a spiritual idea that lights your path! +The Psalmist saith: “He shall give His angels charge + +[Page 307.] + +over thee.” God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in [1] +turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to- +morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present +help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have +all you need every moment. What a glorious inheritance [5] +is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent +Love! More we cannot ask: more we do not want: +more we cannot have. This sweet assurance is the +“Peace, be still” to all human fears, to suffering of every +sort. [10] + + + + +Deification Of Personality + + +Notwithstanding the rapid sale already of two editions +of “Christ and Christmas,” and many orders on hand, I +have thought best to stop its publication. + +In this revolutionary religious period, the increasing [15] +inquiry of mankind as to Christianity and its unity— +and above all, God’s love opening the eyes of the blind—is +fast fitting all minds for the proper reception of +Christian Science healing. + +But I must stand on this absolute basis of Christian [20] +Science; namely, Cast not pearls before the unprepared +thought. Idolatry is an easily-besetting sin of all peoples. +The apostle saith, “Little children, keep yourselves from +idols.” + +The illustrations were not intended for a golden calf, [25] +at which the sick may look and be healed. Christian +Scientists should beware of unseen snares, and adhere +to the divine Principle and rules for demonstration. +They must guard against the deification of finite personality. +Every human thought must turn instinctively to [30] + +[Page 308.] + +the divine Mind as its sole centre and intelligence. Until [1] +this be done, man will never be found harmonious and +immortal. + +Whosoever looks to me personally for his health or +holiness, mistakes. He that by reason of human love or [5] +hatred or any other cause clings to my material per- +sonality, greatly errs, stops his own progress, and loses +the path to health, happiness, and heaven. The Scrip- +tures and Christian Science reveal “the way,” and per- +sonal revelators will take their proper place in history, [10] +but will not be deified. + +Advanced scientific students are ready for “Christ +and Christmas;” but those are a minority of its readers, +and even they know its practicality only by healing +the sick on its divine Principle. In the words of the [15] +prophet, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one +Lord.” + +Friends, strangers, and Christian Scientists, I thank +you, each and all, for your liberal patronage and scholarly, +artistic, and scientific notices of my book. This little [20] +messenger has done its work, fulfilled its mission, retired +with honor (and mayhap taught me more than it has +others), only to reappear in due season. The knowledge +that I have gleaned from its fruitage is, that intensely +contemplating personality impedes spiritual growth; even [25] +as holding in mind the consciousness of disease prevents +the recovery of the sick. + +Christian Science is taught through its divine Prin- +ciple, which is invisible to corporeal sense. A material +human likeness is the antipode of man in the image and [30] +likeness of God. Hence, a finite person is not the model +for a metaphysician. I earnestly advise all Christian +Scientists to remove from their observation or study + +[Page 309.] + +the personal sense of any one, and not to dwell in thought [1] +upon their own or others’ corporeality, either as good or +evil. + +According to Christian Science, material personality is +an error in premise, and must result in erroneous con- [5] +clusions. All will agree with me that material portraiture +often fails to express even mortal man, and this declares +its unfitness for fable or fact to build upon. + +The face of Jesus has uniformly been so unnaturally +delineated that it has turned many from the true con- [10] +templation of his character. He advances most in divine +Science who meditates most on infinite spiritual sub- +stance and intelligence. Experience proves this true. +Pondering on the finite personality of Jesus, the son of +man, is not the channel through which we reach the [15] +Christ, or Son of God, the true idea of man’s divine +Principle. + +I warn students against falling into the error of anti- +Christ. The consciousness of corporeality, and what- +ever is connected therewith, must be outgrown. Corporeal [20] +falsities include all obstacles to health, holiness, and +heaven. Man’s individual life is infinitely above a +bodily form of existence, and the human concept an- +tagonizes the divine. “Science and Health with Key +to the Scriptures,” on page 229, third and fourth para- [25] +graphs, elucidates this topic.(5) + +My Christmas poem and its illustrations are not a text- +book. Scientists sometimes take things too intensely. +Let them soberly adhere to the Bible and Science and +Health, which contain all and much more than they [30] +have yet learned. We should prohibit ourselves the + +[Page 310.] + +childish pleasure of studying Truth through the senses, [1] +for this is neither the intent of my works nor possible +in Science. + +Even the teachings of Jesus would be misused by sub- +stituting personality for the Christ, or the impersonal [5] +form of Truth, amplified in this age by the discovery of +Christian Science. To impersonalize scientifically the +material sense of existence—rather than cling to per- +sonality—is the lesson of to-day. + + + + +A Card + + +My answer to manifold letters relative to the return +of members that have gone out of The First Church of +Christ, Scientist, in Boston, is this: While my affec- +tions plead for all and every one, and my desire is that +all shall be redeemed, I am not unmindful that the Scrip- [15] +tures enjoin, “Let all things be done decently and in +order.” + +To continue one’s connection with this church, or to +regain it, one must comply with the church rules. All +who desire its fellowship, and to become members of it, [20] +must send in their petitions to this effect to the Clerk +of the church; and upon a meeting being called, the +First Members will determine the action of the church +on this subject. + + + + +Overflowing Thoughts + + +In this receding year of religious jubilee, 1894, I as [26] +an individual would cordially invite all persons who +have left our fold, together with those who never have + +[Page 311.] + +been in it,—all who love God and keep His command- [1] +ments,—to come and unite with The Mother Church in +Boston. The true Christian Scientists will be welcomed, +greeted as brethren endeavoring to walk with us hand +in hand, as we journey to the celestial city. [5] + +Also, I would extend a tender invitation to Christian +Scientists’ students, those who are ready for the table of +our Lord: so, should we follow Christ’s teachings; so, +bury the dead past; so, loving one another, go forth to +the full vintage-time, exemplifying what we profess. But [10] +some of the older members are not quite ready to take +this advanced step in the full spirit of that charity which +thinketh no evil; and if it be not taken thus, it is impracti- +cal, unfruitful, Soul-less. + +My deepest desires and daily labors go to prove that [15] +I love my enemies and would help all to gain the abiding +consciousness of health, happiness, and heaven. + +I hate no one; and love others more than they can +love me. As I now understand Christian Science, I would +as soon harm myself as another; since by breaking [20] +Christ’s command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as +thyself,” I should lose my hope of heaven. + +The works I have written on Christian Science con- +tain absolute Truth, and my necessity was to tell it; +therefore I did this even as a surgeon who wounds [25] +to heal. I was a scribe under orders; and who can +refrain from transcribing what God indites, and ought +not that one to take the cup, drink all of it, and give +thanks? + +Being often reported as saying what never escaped [30] +from my lips, when rehearsing facts concerning others +who were reporting false charges, I have been sorry that + +[Page 312.] + +I spoke at all, and wished I were wise enough to guard [1] +against that temptation. Oh, may the love that is talked, +be _felt_! and so _lived_, that when weighed in the scale of +God we be not found wanting. Love is consistent, uni- +form, sympathetic, self-sacrificing, unutterably kind; even [5] +that which lays all upon the altar, and, speechless and +alone, bears all burdens, suffers all inflictions, endures +all piercing for the sake of others, and for the kingdom +of heaven’s sake. + + + + +A Great Man And His Saying + + +Hon. Charles Carrol Bonney, President of the World’s [11] +Congress Auxiliary, in his remarks before that body, +said, “No more striking manifestation of the interposi- +tion of divine Providence in human affairs has come in +recent years, than that shown in the raising up of the [15] +body of people known as Christian Scientists, who are +called to declare the real harmony between religion and +Science, and to restore the waning faith of many in the +verities of the sacred Scriptures.” + +In honest utterance of veritable history, and his own [20] +spiritual discernment, this man must have risen above +worldly schemes, human theorems or hypotheses, to +conclusions which reason too supine or misemployed +cannot fasten upon. He spake inspired; he touched a +tone of Truth that will continue to reverberate and renew [25] +its emphasis throughout the entire centuries, into the vast +forever. + +[Page 313.] + + + + +Words Of Commendation + + +_Editor of The Christian Science Journal_:—Permit me +to say that your editorial in the August number is _par_ +_excellence_. + +It is a digest of good manners, morals, methods, and [5] +means. It points to the scientific spiritual molecule, +pearl, and pinnacle, that everybody needs. May the +Christlikeness it reflects rest on the dear readers, and +throw the light of penetration on the page; even as the +dawn, kindling its glories in the east, lightens earth’s [10] +landscape. + +I thank the contributors to _The Christian Science_ +_Journal_ for their jewels of thought, so adapted to the +hour, and without ill-humor or hyperbolic tumor. I +was impressed by the articles entitled “The New Pas- [15] +tor,” by Rev. Lanson P. Norcross, “The Lamp,” by +Walter Church, “The Temptation,” a poem by J. J. +Rome, etc. + +The field waves its white ensign, the reapers are strong, +the rich sheaves are ripe, the storehouse is ready: pray [20] +ye therefore the God of harvest to send forth more +laborers of the excellent sort, and garner the supplies +for a world. + + + + +Church And School + + +Humbly, and, as I believe, divinely directed, I hereby [25] +ordain the Bible, and “Science and Health with Key +to the Scriptures,” to be hereafter the only pastor of + +[Page 314.] + +The Church of Christ, Scientist, throughout our land [1] +and in other lands. + +From this date the Sunday services of our denomina- +tion shall be conducted by Readers in lieu of pastors. +Each church, or society formed for Sunday worship, [5] +shall elect two Readers: a male, and a female. One of +these individuals shall open the meeting by reading the +hymns, and chapter (or portion of the chapter) in the +Bible, lead in silent prayer, and repeat in concert with +the congregation the Lord’s Prayer. Also, this First [10] +Reader shall give out any notices from the pulpit, shall +read the Scriptures indicated in the Sunday School Les- +son of the _Christian Science Quarterly_, and shall pro- +nounce the benediction. + +The First Reader shall read from my book, “Science [15] +and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” alternately in +response to the congregation, the spiritual interpreta- +tion of the Lord’s Prayer; also, shall read all the selec- +tions from Science and Health referred to in the Sunday +Lessons. [20] + +The Reader of the Scriptures shall name, at each +reading, the book, chapter, and verses. The Reader of +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” shall +commence by announcing the full title of this book, with +the name of its author, and add to this announcement, [25] +“the Christian Science textbook.” It is unnecessary to +repeat the title or page. This form shall also be observed +at the Communion service; the selections from both the +Bible and the Christian Science textbook shall be taken +from the _Quarterly_, as heretofore, and this Lesson shall [30] +be such as is adapted to that service. On the first Sunday +of each month, except Communion Sunday, a sermon + +[Page 315.] + +shall be preached to the children, from selections taken [1] +from the Scriptures and Science and Health, especially +adapted to the occasion, and read after the manner of +the Sunday service. The children’s service shall be +held on the Sunday following Communion Day. [5] + +No copies from my books are allowed to be written, +and read from manuscripts, either in private or in pub- +lic assemblies, except by their author. + +Christian Scientists, all over the world, who are let- +terly fit and specially spiritually fitted for teachers, can [10] +teach annually three classes only. They shall teach +from the Christian Science textbook. Each class shall +consist of not over thirty-three students, carefully selected, +and only of such as have promising proclivities toward +Christian Science. The teacher shall hold himself mor- [15] +ally obligated to look after the welfare of his students, +not only through class term, but after it; and to watch +well that they prove sound in sentiment, health, and +practical Christian Science. + +Teaching Christian Science shall be no question of [20] +money, but of morals and of uplifting the race. Teachers +shall form associations for this purpose; and for the +first few years, convene as often as once in three months. +Teachers shall not silently mentally address the thought, +to handle it, nor allow their students to do thus, except [25] +the individual needing it asks for mental treatment. +They shall steadily and patiently strive to educate their +students in conformity to the unerring wisdom and law +of God, and shall enjoin upon them habitually to study +His revealed Word, the Scriptures, and “Science and [30] +Health with Key to the Scriptures.” + +They shall teach their students how to defend them- + +[Page 316.] + +selves against mental malpractice, but never to return [1] +evil for evil; never to attack the malpractitioner, but +to know the truth that makes free,—and so to be a law +not unto others, but themselves. + + + + +Class, Pulpit, Students’ Students + + +When will you take a class in Christian Science or [6] +speak to your church in Boston? is often asked. + +I shall speak to my dear church at Boston very seldom. +The Mother Church must be self-sustained by God. +The date of a class in Christian Science should depend [10] +on the fitness of things, the tide which flows heavenward, +the hour best for the student. Until minds become less +worldly-minded, and depart farther from the primitives +of the race, and have profited up to their present capac- +ity from the written word, they are not ready for the [15] +word spoken at this date. + +My juniors can tell others what they know, and turn +them slowly toward the haven. Imperative, accumula- +tive, sweet demands rest on my retirement from life’s +bustle. What, then, of continual recapitulation of tired [20] +aphorisms and disappointed ethics; of patching breaches +widened the next hour; of pounding wisdom and love +into sounding brass; of warming marble and quench- +ing volcanoes! Before entering the Massachusetts Meta- +physical College, had my students achieved the point [25] +whence they could have derived most benefit from their +pupilage, to-day there would be on earth paragons of +Christianity, patterns of humility, wisdom, and might +for the world. + +[Page 317.] + +To the students whom I have not seen that ask, “May [1] +I call you mother?” my heart replies, _Yes_, if you are +doing God’s work. When born of Truth and Love, we +are all of one kindred. + +The hour has struck for Christian Scientists to do their [5] +own work; to appreciate the signs of the times; to dem- +onstrate self-knowledge and self-government; and to +demonstrate, as this period demands, over all sin, disease, +and death. The dear ones whom I would have great +pleasure in instructing, know that the door to my teaching [10] +was shut when my College closed. + +Again, it is not absolutely requisite for some people +to be taught in a class, for they can learn by spiritual +growth and by the study of what is written. Scarcely a +moiety, compared with the whole of the Scriptures and [15] +the Christian Science textbook, is yet assimilated spirit- +ually by the most faithful seekers; yet this assimilation is +indispensable to the progress of every Christian Scientist. +These considerations prompt my answers to the above +questions. Human desire is inadequate to adjust the [20] +balance on subjects of such earnest import. These +words of our Master explain this hour: “What I do +thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” + +My sympathies are deeply enlisted for the students +of students; having already seen in many instances their [25] +talents, culture, and singleness of purpose to uplift the +race. Such students should not pay the penalty for +other people’s faults; and divine Love will open the +way for them. My soul abhors injustice, and loves +mercy. St. John writes: “Whom God hath sent speaketh [30] +the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by meas- +ure unto him.” + +[Page 318.] + + + + +My Students And Thy Students + + +Mine and thine are obsolete terms in absolute Christian [2] +Science, wherein and whereby the universal brotherhood +of man is stated and demands to be demonstrated. I have +a large affection, not alone for my students, but for thy [5] +students,—for students of the second generation. I can- +not but love some of those devoted students better than +some of mine who are less lovable or Christly. This +natural affection for goodness must go on _ad libitum_ unto +the third and fourth and final generation of those who [10] +love God and keep His commandments. Hence the +following is an amendment of the paragraph on page 47(6) +of “Retrospection and Introspection”:— + +Any student, having received instructions in a Primary +class from me, or from a loyal student of Christian Science, [15] +and afterwards studied thoroughly “Science and Health +with Key to the Scriptures,” can enter upon the gospel +work of teaching Christian Science, and so fulfil the command +of Christ. Before entering this sacred field of labor, +the student must have studied faithfully the latest edi- [20] +tions of my works, and be a good Bible scholar and a +devout, consecrated Christian. + +These are the indispensable demands on all those who +become teachers. + + + + +Unseen Sin + + +Two points of danger beset mankind; namely, making [26] +sin seem either too large or too little: if too large, we + +[Page 319.] + +are in the darkness of all the ages, wherein the true sense [1] +of the unity of good and the unreality of evil is lost. + +If good is God, even as God is good, then good and +evil can neither be coeval nor coequal, for God is All-in- +all. This closes the argument of aught besides Him, aught [5] +else than good. + +If the sense of sin is too little, mortals are in danger +of not seeing their own belief in sin, but of seeing too +keenly their neighbor’s. Then they are beset with +egotism and hypocrisy. Here Christian Scientists must [10] +be most watchful. Their habit of mental and audible +protest against the reality of sin, tends to make sin less +or more to them than to other people. They must either +be overcoming sin in themselves, or they must not lose +sight of sin; else they are self-deceived sinners of the [15] +worst sort. + + + + +A Word To The Wise + + +Will all the dear Christian Scientists accept my tender +greetings for the forthcoming holidays, and grant me +this request,—let the present season pass without one [20] +gift to me. + +Our church edifice must be built in 1894. Take thither +thy saintly offerings, and lay them in the outstretched +hand of God. The object to be won affords ample oppor- +tunity for the grandest achievement to which Christian [25] +Scientists can direct attention, and feel themselves alone +among the stars. + +No doubt must intervene between the promise and +event; faith and resolve are friends to Truth; seize them, + +[Page 320.] + +trust the divine Providence, push upward our prayer in [1] +stone,—and God will give the benediction. + + + + +Christmas + + +This interesting day, crowned with the history of +Truth’s idea,—its earthly advent and nativity,—is [5] +especially dear to the heart of Christian Scientists; to +whom Christ’s appearing in a fuller sense is so precious, +and fraught with divine benedictions for mankind. + +The star that looked lovingly down on the manger of +our Lord, lends its resplendent light to this hour: the [10] +light of Truth, to cheer, guide, and bless man as he +reaches forth for the infant idea of divine perfection +dawning upon human imperfection,—that calms man’s +fears, bears his burdens, beckons him on to Truth and +Love and the sweet immunity these bring from sin, sick- [15] +ness, and death. + +This polar star, fixed in the heavens of divine Science, +shall be the sign of his appearing who “healeth all our +diseases;” it hath traversed night, wading through +darkness and gloom, on to glory. It doth meet the [20] +antagonism of error; addressing to dull ears and undis- +ciplined beliefs words of Truth and Life. + +The star of Bethlehem is the star of Boston, high in +the zenith of Truth’s domain, that looketh down on the +long night of human beliefs, to pierce the darkness and [25] +melt into dawn. + +The star of Bethlehem is the light of all ages; is the +light of Love, to-day christening religion undefiled, divine +Science; giving to it a new name, and the white stone in +token of purity and permanence. [30] + +[Page 321.] + +The wise men follow this guiding star; the watchful [1] +shepherd chants his welcome over the cradle of a great +truth, and saith, “Unto us a child is born,” whose birth +is less of a miracle than eighteen centuries ago; and “his +name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty [5] +God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” + +My heart is filled with joy, that each receding year sees +the steady gain of Truth’s idea in Christian Science; that +each recurring year witnesses the balance adjusted more +on the side of God, the supremacy of Spirit; as shown [10] +by the triumphs of Truth over error, of health over sick- +ness, of Life over death, and of Soul over sense. + +“The hour cometh, and now is, when the true wor- +shippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” +“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made [15] +me free from the law of sin and death.” “Fear not, little +flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you +the kingdom.” + + + Press on, press on! ye sons of light, + Untiring in your holy fight, [20] + Still treading each temptation down, + And battling for a brighter crown. + + + + +Card + + +In reply to all invitations from Chicago to share the +hospitality of their beautiful homes at any time during [25] +the great wonder of the world, the World’s Fair, I say, +Do not expect me. I have no desire to see or to hear +what is to be offered upon this approaching occasion. + +I have a world of wisdom and Love to contemplate, +that concerns me, and you, infinitely beyond all earthly [30] + +[Page 322.] + +expositions or exhibitions. In return for your kindness, [1] +I earnestly invite you to its contemplation with me, and +to preparation to behold it. + + + + +Message To The Mother Church + + +_Beloved Brethren_:—People coming from a distance [5] +expecting to hear me speak in The Mother Church, +are frequently disappointed. To avoid this, I may here- +after notify the Directors when I shall be present to +address this congregation, and the Clerk of the church +can inform correspondents. Your dual and impersonal [10] +pastor, the Bible, and “Science and Health with Key to +the Scriptures,” is with you; and the Life these give, the +Truth they illustrate, the Love they demonstrate, is +the great Shepherd that feedeth my flock, and leadeth +them “beside the still waters.” By any personal pres- [15] +ence, or word of mine, your thought must not be diverted +or diverged, your senses satisfied, or self be justified. + +Therefore, beloved, my often-coming is unnecessary; +for, though I be present or absent, it is God that feed- +eth the hungry heart, that giveth grace for grace, that [20] +healeth the sick and cleanseth the sinner. For this +consummation He hath given you Christian Science, +and my past poor labors and love. He hath shown you +the amplitude of His mercy, the justice of His judgment, +the omnipotence of His love; and this, to compensate [25] +your zealous affection for seeking good, and for labor- +ing in its widening grooves from the infinitesimal to the +infinite. + + + + + +CHAPTER IX. THE FRUIT OF SPIRIT + + +[Page 323.] + + + + +An Allegory + + +Picture to yourself “a city set upon a hill,” a [2] +celestial city above all clouds, in serene azure and +unfathomable glory: having no temple therein, for God is +the temple thereof; nor need of the sun, neither of the [5] +moon, for God doth lighten it. Then from this sacred +summit behold a Stranger wending his way downward, +to where a few laborers in a valley at the foot of the moun- +tain are working and watching for his coming. + +The descent and ascent are beset with peril, priva- [10] +tion, temptation, toil, suffering. Venomous serpents hide +among the rocks, beasts of prey prowl in the path, wolves +in sheep’s clothing are ready to devour; but the Stranger +meets and masters their secret and open attacks with +serene confidence. [15] + +The Stranger eventually stands in the valley at the +foot of the mountain. He saith unto the patient toilers +therein: “What do ye here? Would ye ascend the moun- +tain,—climbing its rough cliffs, hushing the hissing +serpents, taming the beasts of prey,—and bathe in its [20] +streams, rest in its cool grottos, and drink from its living +fountains? The way winds and widens in the valley; +up the hill it is straight and narrow, and few there be that +find it.” + +[Page 324.] + +His converse with the watchers and workers in the [1] +valley closes, and he makes his way into the streets of a +city made with hands. + +Pausing at the threshold of a palatial dwelling, he +knocks and waits. The door is shut. He hears the [5] +sounds of festivity and mirth; youth, manhood, and age +gayly tread the gorgeously tapestried parlors, dancing- +halls, and banquet-rooms. But a little while, and the +music is dull, the wine is unsipped, the footfalls abate, +the laughter ceases. Then from the window of this dwel- [10] +ling a face looks out, anxiously surveying him who waiteth +at the door. + +Within this mortal mansion are adulterers, fornicators, +idolaters; drunkenness, witchcraft, variance, envy, emu- +lation, hatred, wrath, murder. Appetites and passions [15] +have so dimmed their sight that he alone who looks from +that dwelling, through the clearer pane of his own heart +tired of sin, can see the Stranger. + +Startled beyond measure at beholding him, this mortal +inmate withdraws; but growing more and more troubled, [20] +he seeks to leave the odious company and the cruel walls, +and to find the Stranger. Stealing cautiously away from +his comrades, he departs; then turns back,—he is afraid +to go on and to meet the Stranger. So he returns to the +house, only to find the lights all wasted and the music [25] +fled. Finding no happiness within, he rushes again +into the lonely streets, seeking peace but finding none. +Naked, hungry, athirst, this time he struggles on, and +at length reaches the pleasant path of the valley at the +foot of the mountain, whence he may hopefully look for [30] +the reappearance of the Stranger, and receive his heavenly +guidance. + +[Page 325.] + +The Stranger enters a massive carved stone mansion, [1] +and saith unto the dwellers therein, “Blessed are the +poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” But +they understand not his saying. + +These are believers of different sects, and of no sect; [5] +some, so-called Christian Scientists in sheep’s clothing; +and all “drunken without wine.” They have small con- +ceptions of spiritual riches, few cravings for the immortal, +but are puffed up with the applause of the world: they +have plenty of pelf, and fear not to fall upon the Stranger, [10] +seize his pearls, throw them away, and afterwards try to +kill him. + +Somewhat disheartened, he patiently seeks another +dwelling,—only to find its inmates asleep at noontide! +Robust forms, with manly brow nodding on cushioned [15] +chairs, their feet resting on footstools, or, flat on their +backs, lie stretched on the floor, dreaming away the +hours. Balancing on one foot, with eyes half open, +the porter starts up in blank amazement and looks at +the Stranger, calls out, rubs his eyes,—amazed beyond [20] +measure that anybody is animated with a purpose, and +seen working for it! + +They in this house are those that “provoke Him in +the wilderness, and grieve Him in the desert.” Away +from this charnel-house of the so-called living, the Stranger [25] +turns quickly, and wipes off the dust from his feet as a +testimony against sensualism in its myriad forms. As +he departs, he sees robbers finding ready ingress to that +dwelling of sleepers in the midst of murderous hordes, +without watchers and the doors unbarred! [30] + +Next he enters a place of worship, and saith unto them, +“Go ye into all the world; preach the gospel, heal the + +[Page 326.] + +sick, cast out devils, raise the dead; for the Scripture [1] +saith the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath +made you free from the law of sin and death.” And _they_ +_cast him out_. + +Once more he seeks the dwelling-place of mortals and [5] +knocks loudly. The door is burst open, and sufferers +shriek for help: that house is on fire! The flames caught +in the dwelling of luxury, where the blind saw them not, +but the flesh at length did feel them; thence they spread +to the house of slumberers who heeded them not, until [10] +they became unmanageable; fed by the fat of hypocrisy +and vainglory, they consumed the next dwelling; then +crept unseen into the synagogue, licking up the blood +of martyrs and wrapping their altars in ruins. “God is a +consuming fire.” [15] + +Thus are all mortals, under every hue of circumstances, +driven out of their houses of clay and, homeless wan- +derers in a beleaguered city, forced to seek the Father’s +house, if they would be led to the valley and up the +mount. [20] + +Seeing the wisdom of withdrawing from those who +persistently rejected him, the Stranger returned to the +valley; first, to meet with joy his own, to wash their +feet, and take them up the mountain. Well might this +heavenly messenger exclaim, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [25] +thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which +are sent unto thee,... Behold, your house is left unto +you desolate.” + +Discerning in his path the penitent one who had groped +his way from the dwelling of luxury, the Stranger saith [30] +unto him, “Wherefore comest thou hither?” + +He answered, “The sight of thee unveiled my sins, and + +[Page 327.] + +turned my misnamed joys to sorrow. When I went back [1] +into the house to take something out of it, my misery +increased; so I came hither, hoping that I might follow +thee whithersoever thou goest.” + +And the Stranger saith unto him, “Wilt thou climb [5] +the mountain, and take nothing of thine own with thee?” + +He answered, “I will.” + +“Then,” saith the Stranger, “thou hast chosen the +good part; follow me.” + +Many there were who had entered the valley to specu- [10] +late in worldly policy, religion, politics, finance, and to +search for wealth and fame. These had heavy baggage +of their own, and insisted upon taking all of it with them, +which must greatly hinder their ascent. + +The journey commences. The encumbered travellers [15] +halt and disagree. They stoutly belay those who, hav- +ing less baggage, ascend faster than themselves, and +betimes burden them with their own. Despairing of +gaining the summit, loaded as they are, they conclude to +stop and lay down a few of the heavy weights,—but [20] +only to take them up again, more than ever determined +not to part with their baggage. + +All this time the Stranger is pointing the way, show- +ing them their folly, rebuking their pride, consoling their +afflictions, and helping them on, saying, “He that loseth [25] +his life for my sake, shall find it.” + +Obstinately holding themselves back, and sore-footed, +they fall behind and lose sight of their guide; when, +stumbling and grumbling, and fighting each other, they +plunge headlong over the jagged rocks. [30] + +Then he who has no baggage goes back and kindly +binds up their wounds, wipes away the blood stains, and + +[Page 328.] + +would help them on; but suddenly the Stranger shouts, [1] +“Let them alone; they must learn from the things they +suffer. Make thine own way; and if thou strayest, listen +for the mountain-horn, and it will call thee back to the +path that goeth upward.” [5] + +Dear reader, dost thou suspect that the valley is hu- +mility, that the mountain is heaven-crowned Christianity, +and the Stranger the ever-present Christ, the spiritual +idea which from the summit of bliss surveys the vale of +the flesh, to burst the bubbles of earth with a breath of [10] +heaven, and acquaint sensual mortals with the mystery +of godliness,—unchanging, unquenchable Love? Hast +not thou heard this Christ knock at the door of thine own +heart, and closed it against Truth, to “eat and drink +with the drunken”? Hast thou been driven by suffer- [15] +ing to the foot of the mount, but earth-bound, burdened +by pride, sin, and self, hast thou turned back, stumbled, +and wandered away? Or hast thou tarried in the habita- +tion of the senses, pleased and stupefied, until wakened +through the baptism of fire? [20] + +He alone ascends the hill of Christian Science who +follows the Way-shower, the spiritual presence and idea +of God. Whatever obstructs the way,—causing to +stumble, fall, or faint, those mortals who are striving +to enter the path,—divine Love will remove; and up- [25] +lift the fallen and strengthen the weak. Therefore, give +up thy earth-weights; and observe the apostle’s admoni- +tion, “Forgetting those things which are behind, and +reaching forth unto those which are before.” Then, +loving God supremely and thy neighbor as thyself, thou [30] +wilt safely bear thy cross up to the throne of everlasting +glory. + +[Page 329.] + + + + +Voices Of Spring + + +Mine is an obstinate _penchant_ for nature in all her [2] +moods and forms, a satisfaction with whatever is hers. +And what shall this be named, a weakness, or a— +virtue? [5] + +In spring, nature like a thrifty housewife sets the earth +in order; and between taking up the white carpets and +putting down the green ones, her various apartments are +dismally dirty. + +Spring is my sweetheart, whose voices are sad or glad, [10] +even as the heart may be; restoring in memory the sweet +rhythm of unforgotten harmonies, or touching tenderly +its tearful tones. + +Spring passes over mountain and meadow, waking up +the world; weaving the wavy grass, nursing the timid [15] +spray, stirring the soft breeze; rippling all nature in +ceaseless flow, with “breath all odor and cheek all bloom.” +Whatever else droops, spring is gay: her little feet trip +lightly on, turning up the daisies, paddling the water- +cresses, rocking the oriole’s cradle; challenging the sed- [20] +entary shadows to activity, and the streams to race for the +sea. Her dainty fingers put the fur cap on pussy-willow, +paint in pink the petals of arbutus, and sweep in soft +strains her Orphean lyre. “The voice of the turtle is +heard in our land.” The snow-bird that tarried through [25] +the storm, now chirps to the breeze; the cuckoo sounds +her invisible lute, calling the feathered tribe back to their +summer homes. Old robin, though stricken to the heart +with winter’s snow, prophesies of fair earth and sunny +skies. The brooklet sings melting murmurs to merry [30] + +[Page 330.] + +meadows; the leaves clap their hands, and the winds [1] +make melody through dark pine groves. + +What is the anthem of human life? + +Has love ceased to moan over the new-made grave, +and, looking upward, does it patiently pray for the per- [5] +petual springtide wherein no arrow wounds the dove? +Human hope and faith should join in nature’s grand har- +mony, and, if on minor key, make music in the heart. +And man, more friendly, should call his race as gently +to the springtide of Christ’s dear love. St. Paul wrote, [10] +“Rejoice in the Lord always.” And why not, since man’s +possibilities are infinite, bliss is eternal, and the conscious- +ness thereof is here and now? + +The alders bend over the streams to shake out their +tresses in the water-mirrors; let mortals bow before the [15] +creator, and, looking through Love’s transparency, behold +man in God’s own image and likeness, arranging in the +beauty of holiness each budding thought. It is good to +talk with our past hours, and learn what report they +bear, and how they might have reported more spirit- [20] +ual growth. With each returning year, higher joys, +holier aims, a purer peace and diviner energy, should +freshen the fragrance of being. Nature’s first and last +lessons teach man to be kind, and even pride should +sanction what our natures need. Popularity,—what is [25] +it? A mere mendicant that boasts and begs, and God +denies charity. + +When gentle violet lifts its blue eye to heaven, and +crown imperial unveils its regal splendor to the sun; +when the modest grass, inhabiting the whole earth, stoops [30] +meekly before the blast; when the patient corn waits +on the elements to put forth its slender blade, construct + +[Page 331.] + +the stalk, instruct the ear, and crown the full corn in the [1] +ear,—then, are mortals looking up, waiting on God, +and committing their way unto Him who tosses earth’s +mass of wonders into their hands? When downtrodden +like the grass, did it make them humble, loving, obedi- [5] +ent, full of good odor, and cause them to wait patiently +on God for man’s rich heritage,—“dominion over all +the earth”? Thus abiding in Truth, the warmth and +sunlight of prayer and praise and understanding will +ripen the fruits of Spirit, and goodness will have its spring- [10] +tide of freedom and greatness. + +When the white-winged dove feeds her callow brood, +nestles them under her wings, and, in tones tremulous +with tenderness, calls them to her breast, do mortals +remember _their_ cradle hymns, and thank God for those [15] +redemptive words from a mother’s lips which taught +them the Lord’s Prayer? + + + O gentle presence, peace and joy and power; + O Life divine, that owns each waiting hour; + Thou Love that guards the nestling’s faltering flight! [20] + Keep Thou my child on upward wing to-night. + + +Midst the falling leaves of old-time faiths, above the +frozen crust of creed and dogma, the divine Mind-force, +filling all space and having all power, upheaves the earth. +In sacred solitude divine Science evolved nature as thought, [25] +and thought as things. This supreme potential Principle +reigns in the realm of the real, and is “God with us,” +the I AM. + +As mortals awake from their dream of material sen- +sation, this adorable, all-inclusive God, and all earth’s [30] +hieroglyphics of Love, are understood; and infinite Mind + +[Page 332.] + +is seen kindling the stars, rolling the worlds, reflecting [1] +all space and Life,—but not life in matter. Wisely +governing, informing the universe, this Mind is Truth,— +not laws of matter. Infinitely just, merciful, and wise, +this Mind is Love,—but not fallible love. [5] + +Spring is here! and doors that closed on Christian +Science in “the long winter of our discontent,” are open +flung. Its seedtime has come to enrich earth and en- +robe man in righteousness; may its sober-suited autumn +follow with hues of heaven, ripened sheaves, and harvest [10] +songs. + + + + +“Where Art Thou?” + + +In the allegory of Genesis, third chapter and ninth +verse, two mortals, walking in the cool of the day midst +the stately palms, many-hued blossoms, perfume-laden [15] +breezes, and crystal streams of the Orient, pondered the +things of man and God. + +A sense of evil is supposed to have spoken, been listened +to, and afterwards to have formed an evil sense that +blinded the eyes of reason, masked with deformity the [20] +glories of revelation, and shamed the face of mortals. + +What was this sense? Error versus Truth: first, a +supposition; second, a false belief; third, suffering; +fourth, death. + +Is man the supposer, false believer, sufferer? [25] + +Not man, but a mortal—the antipode of immortal +man. Supposing, false believing, suffering are not fac- +ulties of Mind, but are qualities of error. + +The supposition is, that God and His idea are not all- +power; that there is something besides Him; that this [30] + +[Page 333.] + +something is intelligent matter; that sin—yea, self- [1] +hood—is apart from God, where pleasure and pain, +good and evil, life and death, commingle, and are for- +ever at strife; even that every ray of Truth, of infinity, +omnipotence, omnipresence, goodness, could be absorbed [5] +in error! God cannot be obscured, and this renders error +a palpable falsity, yea, nothingness; on the basis that +black is not a color because it absorbs all the rays of +light. + +The “Alpha and Omega” of Christian Science voices [10] +this question: Where do we hold intelligence to be? Is +it in both evil and good, in matter as well as Spirit? +If so, we are literally and practically denying that God, +good, is supreme, _all_ power and presence, and are turn- +ing away from the only living and true God, to “lords [15] +many and gods many.” + +Where art thou, O mortal! who turnest away from +the divine source of being,—calling on matter to work +out the problem of Mind, to aid in understanding and +securing the sweet harmonies of Spirit that relate to the [20] +universe, including man? + +Paul asked: “What communion hath light with dark- +ness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial?” The +worshippers of Baal worshipped the sun. They believed +that something besides God had authority and power, [25] +could heal and bless; that God wrought through matter +—by means of that which does not reflect Him in a single +quality or quantity!—the grand realities of Mind, thus +to exemplify the power of Truth and Love. + +The ancient Chaldee hung his destiny out upon the [30] +heavens; but ancient or modern Christians, instructed in +divine Science, know that the prophet better understood + +[Page 334.] + +Him who said: “He doeth according to His will in the [1] +army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; +and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest +Thou?” + +Astrology is well in its place, but this place is second- [5] +ary. Necromancy has no foundation,—in fact, no +intelligence; and the belief that it has, deceives itself. +Whatever simulates power and Truth in matter, does this +as a lie declaring itself, that mortals’ faith in matter may +have the effect of power; but when the whole fabrication [10] +is found to be a lie, away goes all its supposed power and +prestige. + +Why do Christian Scientists treat disease _as_ disease, +since there is no disease? + +This is done only as one gives the lie to a lie; because [15] +it is a lie, without one word of Truth in it. You must +find error to be _nothing_: then, and _only_ then, do you +handle it in Science. The diabolism of suppositional +evil at work in the name of good, is a lie of the highest +degree of nothingness: just reduce this falsity to its proper [20] +denomination, and you have done with it. + +How shall we treat a negation, or error—by means +of matter, or Mind? Is matter Truth? No! Then it +cannot antidote error. + +Can belief destroy belief? No: understanding is re- [25] +quired to do this. By the substitution of Truth demon- +strated, Science remedies the ills of material beliefs. + +Because I have uncovered evil, and dis-covered for +you divine Science, which saith, “Be not overcome of +evil, but overcome evil with good,” and you have not +loved sufficiently to understand this Golden Rule and +demonstrate the might of perfect Love that casteth out + +[Page 335.] + +all fear, shall you turn away from this divine Principle [1] +to graven images? Remember the Scripture:— + +“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, +My lord delayeth his coming;” + +“And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to [5] +eat and drink with the drunken; + +“The lord of that servant shall come in a day when +he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not +aware of, + +“And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his por- [10] +tion with the hypocrites.” + +One mercilessly assails me for opposing the subtle lie, +others charge upon me with full-fledged invective for, as +they say, having too much charity; but neither moves +me from the path made luminous by divine Love. [15] + +In my public works I lay bare the ability, in belief, of +evil to break the Decalogue,—to murder, steal, commit +adultery, and so on. Those who deny my wisdom or +right to expose error, are either willing participants in +wrong, afraid of its supposed power, or ignorant of it. [20] + +The notion that one is covering iniquity by asserting +its nothingness, is a fault of zealots, who, like Peter, +sleep when the Watcher bids them watch, and when the +hour of trial comes would cut off somebody’s ears. Such +people say, “Would you have me get out of a burning [25] +house, or stay in it?” + +I would have you already out, and _know_ that you are +out; also, to remember the Scripture concerning those +who do evil that good may come,—“whose damnation +is just;” and that whoso departeth from divine Science, [30] +seeking power or good aside from God, has done himself +harm. + +[Page 336.] + +Mind is supreme: Love is the master of hate; Truth, [1] +the victor over a lie. Hath not Science voiced this les- +son to you,—that evil is powerless, that a lie is never +true? It is your province to wrestle with error, to handle +the serpent and bruise its head; but you cannot, as a [5] +Christian Scientist, resort to stones and clubs,—yea, to +matter,—to kill the serpent of a material mind. + +Do you love that which represents God most, His highest +idea as seen to-day? No! + +Then you would hate Jesus if you saw him personally, [10] +and knew your right obligations towards him. He would +insist on the rule and demonstration of divine Science: +even that you first cast out your own dislike and hatred +of God’s idea,—the beam in your own eye that hinders +your seeing clearly how to cast the mote of evil out of [15] +other eyes. You cannot demonstrate the Principle of +Christian Science and not love its idea: we gather not +grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles. + +Where art thou? + + + + +Divine Science + + +What is it but another name for Christian Science, [21] +the cognomen of all true religion, the quintessence of +Christianity, that heals disease and sin and destroys +death! Part and parcel of Truth and Love, wherever +one ray of its effulgence looks in upon the heart, behold [25] +a better man, woman, or child. + +Science is the fiat of divine intelligence, which, hoary +with eternity, touches time only to take away its frailty. +That it rests on everlasting foundations, the sequence +proves. [30] + +[Page 337.] + +Have I discovered and founded at this period Chris- [1] +tian Science, that which reveals the truth of Love,—is +the question. + +And how can you be certain of so momentous an +affirmative? By proving its effect on yourself to be— [5] +divine. + +What is the Principle and rule of Christian Science? + +Infinite query! Wonder in heaven and on earth,— +who shall say? The immaculate Son of the Blessed +has spoken of them as the Golden Rule and its Principle, [10] +God who is Love. Listen, and _he_ illustrates the rule: +“Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the +midst of them, and said,... Whosoever ... shall +humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest +in the kingdom of heaven.” [15] + +Harmony is heaven. Science brings out harmony; +but this harmony is not understood unless it produces a +growing affection for all good, and consequent disaffec- +tion for all evil, hypocrisy, evil-speaking, lust, envy, hate. +Where these exist, Christian Science has no sure foot- [20] +hold: they obscure its divine element, and thus seem +to extinguish it. Even the life of Jesus was belittled +and belied by personalities possessing these defacing de- +formities. Only the devout Marys, and such as lived +according to his precepts, understood the concrete char- [25] +acter of him who taught—by the wayside, in humble +homes, to itching ears and to dull disciples—the words +of Life. + +The ineffable Life and light which he reflected through +divine Science is again reproduced in the character which [30] +sensualism, as heretofore, would hide or besmear. Sin +of any sort tends to hide from an individual this grand + +[Page 338.] + +verity in Science, that the appearing of good in an in- [1] +dividual involves the disappearing of evil. He who first +brings to humanity some great good, must have gained +its height beforehand, to be able to lift others toward +it. I first proved to myself, not by “words,”—these [5] +afford no proof,—but by demonstration of Christian +Science, that its Principle is divine. All must go and do +likewise. + +Faith illumined by works; the spiritual understanding +which cannot choose but to labor and love; hope hold- [10] +ing steadfastly to good in the midst of seething evil; +charity that suffereth long and is kind, but cancels not +sin until it be destroyed,—these afford the only rule I +have found which demonstrates Christian Science. + +And remember, a pure faith in humanity will subject [15] +one to deception; the uses of good, to abuses from evil; +and calm strength will enrage evil. But the very heavens +shall laugh at them, and move majestically to your defense +when the armies of earth press hard upon you. + + + “Thou must be true thyself, [20] + If thou the truth wouldst teach; + Thy soul must overflow, if thou + Another’s soul wouldst reach; + It needs the overflow of heart, + To give the lips full speech.” [25] + + “Think truly, and thy thoughts + Shall the world’s famine feed; + Speak truly, and each word of thine + Shall be a fruitful seed; + Live truly, and thy life shall be [30] + A great and noble creed.” + + +[Page 339.] + + + + +Fidelity + + +If people would confine their talk to subjects that are [2] +profitable, that which St. John informs us took place +once in heaven, would happen very frequently on earth,— +silence for the space of half an hour. [5] + +Experience is victor, never the vanquished; and out +of defeat comes the secret of victory. That to-morrow +starts from to-day and is one day beyond it, robes the +future with hope’s rainbow hues. + +In the battle of life, good is made more industrious [10] +and persistent because of the supposed activity of evil. +The elbowing of the crowd plants our feet more firmly. +In the mental collisions of mortals and the strain of in- +tellectual wrestlings, moral tension is tested, and, if it +yields not, grows stronger. The past admonishes us: [15] +with finger grim and cold it points to every mortal mistake; +or smiling saith, “Thou hast been faithful over a few +things.” + +Art thou a child, and hast added one furrow to the +brow of care? Art thou a husband, and hast pierced [20] +the heart venturing its all of happiness to thy keeping? +Art thou a wife, and hast bowed the o’erburdened head +of thy husband? Hast thou a friend, and forgettest to be +grateful? Remember, that for all this thou alone canst +and must atone. Carelessly or remorselessly thou mayest [25] +have sent along the ocean of events a wave that will some +time flood thy memory, surge dolefully at the door of con- +science, and pour forth the unavailing tear. + +Change and the grave may part us; the wisdom that +might have blessed the past may come too late. One [30] + +[Page 340.] + +backward step, one relinquishment of right in an evil [1] +hour, one faithless tarrying, has torn the laurel from many +a brow and repose from many a heart. Good is never +the reward of evil, and _vice versa_. + +There is no excellence without labor; and the time to [5] +work, is _now_. Only by persistent, unremitting, straight- +forward toil; by turning neither to the right nor to the +left, seeking no other pursuit or pleasure than that which +cometh from God, can you win and wear the crown of the +faithful. [10] + +That law-school is not at fault which sends forth a +barrister who never brings out a brief. Why? Because +he followed agriculture instead of litigation, forsook +Blackstone for gray stone, dug into soils instead of delv- +ing into suits, raised potatoes instead of pleas, and drew [15] +up logs instead of leases. He has not been faithful over +a few things. + +Is a musician made by his teacher? He makes him- +self a musician by practising what he was taught. The +conscientious are successful. They follow faithfully; [20] +through evil or through good report, they work on to the +achievement of good; by patience, they inherit the prom- +ise. Be active, and, however slow, thy success is sure: +toil is triumph; and—thou hast been faithful over a few +things. [25] + +The lives of great men and women are miracles of pa- +tience and perseverance. Every luminary in the constel- +lation of human greatness, like the stars, comes out in +the darkness to shine with the reflected light of God. + +Material philosophy, human ethics, scholastic theology, [30] +and physics have not sufficiently enlightened mankind. +Human wrong, sickness, sin, and death still appear in + +[Page 341.] + +mortal belief, and they never bring out the right action [1] +of mind or body. When will the whole human race have +one God,—an undivided affection that leaves the unreal +material basis of things, for the spiritual foundation and +superstructure that is real, right, and eternal? [5] + +First purify thought, then put thought into words, +and words into deeds; and after much slipping and +clambering, you will go up the scale of Science to the +second rule, and be made ruler over many things. Fidelity +finds its reward and its strength in exalted purpose. Seek- [10] +ing is not sufficient whereby to arrive at the results of +Science: you must strive; and the glory of the strife +comes of honesty and humility. + +Do human hopes deceive? is joy a trembler? Then, +weary pilgrim, unloose the latchet of thy sandals; for the [15] +place whereon thou standest is sacred. By that, you may +know you are parting with a material sense of life and +happiness to win the spiritual sense of good. O learn to +lose with God! and you find Life eternal: you gain all. +To doubt this is implicit treason to divine decree. [20] + +The parable of “the ten virgins” serves to illustrate +the evil of inaction and delay. This parable is drawn +from the sad history of Vesta,—a little girl of eight +years, who takes the most solemn vow of celibacy for thirty +years, and is subject to terrible torture if the lamp she [25] +tends is not replenished with oil day and night, so that the +flame never expires. The moral of the parable is pointed, +and the diction purely Oriental. + +We learn from this parable that neither the cares of +this world nor the so-called pleasures or pains of mate- [30] +rial sense are adequate to plead for the neglect of spiritual +light, that must be tended to keep aglow the flame of + +[Page 342.] + +devotion whereby to enter into the joy of divine Science [1] +demonstrated. + +The foolish virgins had no oil in their lamps: their +way was material; thus they were in doubt and dark- +ness. They heeded not their sloth, their fading warmth [5] +of action; hence the steady decline of spiritual light, +until, the midnight gloom upon them, they must borrow +the better-tended lamps of the faithful. By entering +the guest-chamber of Truth, and beholding the bridal +of Life and Love, they would be wedded to a higher [10] +understanding of God. Each moment’s fair expect- +ancy was to behold the bridegroom, the One “altogether +lovely.” + +It was midnight: darkness profound brooded over +earth’s lazy sleepers. With no oil in their lamps, no [15] +spiritual illumination to look upon him whom they had +pierced, they heard the shout, “The bridegroom cometh!” +But how could they behold him? Hear that human +cry: “Oh, lend us your oil! our lamps have gone out,— +no light! earth’s fables flee, and heaven is afar [20] +off.” + +The door is shut. The wise virgins had no oil to spare, +and they said to the foolish, “Go to them that sell, and +buy for yourselves.” Seek Truth, and pursue it. It should +cost you something: you are willing to pay for error [25] +and receive nothing in return; but if you pay the price of +Truth, you shall receive _all_. + +“The children of this world are in their generation +wiser than the children of light;” they watch the market, +acquaint themselves with the etiquette of the exchange, [30] +and are ready for the next move. How much more should +we be faithful over the few things of Spirit, that are able + +[Page 343.] + +to make us wise unto salvation! Let us watch and pray [1] +that we enter not into the temptation of ease in sin; and +let us not forget that others before us have laid upon the +altar all that we have to sacrifice, and have passed to +their reward. Too soon we cannot turn from disease [5] +in the body to find disease in the mortal mind, and its cure, +in working for God. Thought must be made better, and +human life more fruitful, for the divine energy to move +it onward and upward. + +Warmed by the sunshine of Truth, watered by the [10] +heavenly dews of Love, the fruits of Christian Science +spring upward, and away from the sordid soil of self and +matter. Are we clearing the gardens of thought by up- +rooting the noxious weeds of passion, malice, envy, and +strife? Are we picking away the cold, hard pebbles of [15] +selfishness, uncovering the secrets of sin and burnishing +anew the hidden gems of Love, that their pure perfection +shall appear? Are we feeling the vernal freshness and +sunshine of enlightened faith? + +The weeds of mortal mind are not always destroyed [20] +by the first uprooting; they reappear, like devastating +witch-grass, to choke the coming clover. O stupid gar- +dener! watch their reappearing, and tear them away from +their native soil, until no seedling be left to propagate— +and rot. + +Among the manifold soft chimes that will fill the haunted [25] +chambers of memory, this is the sweetest: “Thou hast +been faithful!” + +[Page 344.] + + + + +True Philosophy And Communion + + +It is related of Justin Martyr that, hearing of a Pythag- [2] +orean professor of ethics, he expressed the wish to be- +come one of his disciples. “Very well,” the teacher +replied; “but have you studied music, astronomy, and [5] +geometry, and do you think it possible for you to under- +stand aught of that which leads to bliss, without hav- +ing mastered the sciences that disengage the soul from +objects of sense, so rendering it a fit habitation for +the intelligences?” On Justin’s confessing that he had [10] +not studied those branches, he was dismissed by the +professor. + +Alas for such a material science of life! Of what +avail would geometry be to a poor sinner struggling with +temptation, or to a man with the smallpox? [15] + +Ancient and modern philosophies are spoiled by lack +of Science. They would place Soul wholly inside of body, +intelligence in matter; and from error of premise would +seek a correct conclusion. Such philosophy can never +demonstrate the Science of Life,—the Science which [20] +Paul understood when he spoke of willingness “to be +absent from the body, and present with the Lord.” Such +philosophy is far from the rules of the mighty Nazarene +Prophet. His words, living in our hearts, were these: +“Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as [25] +a little child, shall in no wise enter therein.” Not through +astronomy did he point out the way to heaven and the +reign of harmony. + +We need the spirit of St. Paul, when he stood on Mars’ +hill at Athens, bringing Christianity for the first time [30] + +[Page 345.] + +into Europe. The Spirit bestows spiritual gifts, God’s [1] +presence and providence. St. Paul stood where Socrates +had stood four hundred years before, defending himself +against the charge of atheism; in the place where De- +mosthenes had pleaded for freedom in immortal strains [5] +of eloquence. + +We need the spirit of the pious Polycarp, who, when +the proconsul said to him, “I will set the beasts upon +you, unless you yield your religion,” replied: “Let them +come; I cannot change from good to bad.” Then they [10] +bound him to the stake, set fire to the fagots, and his +pure and strong faith rose higher through the baptism +of flame. + +Methinks the infidel was blind who said, “Christianity +is fit only for women and weak men;” but even infidels [15] +may disagree. Bonaparte declared, “Ever since the +reign of Christianity began the loftiest intellects have had +a practical faith in God.” Daniel Webster said, “My +heart has always assured and reassured me that Chris- +tianity must be a divine reality.” [20] + +To turn the popular indignation against an advanced +form of religion, the pagan slanderers affirmed that +Christians took their infants to a place of worship in +order to offer them in sacrifice,—a baptism not of +water but of blood, thus distorting or misapprehending [25] +the purpose of Christian sacraments. Christians met +in midnight feasts in the early days, and talked of the +crucified Saviour; thence arose the rumor that it was +a part of Christian worship to kill and eat a human +being. [30] + +Really, Christianity turned men away from the thought +of fleshly sacrifice, and directed them to spiritual attain- + +[Page 346.] + +ments. Life, not death, was and is the very centre of [1] +its faith. Christian Science carries this thought even +higher, and insists on the demonstration of moral and +spiritual healing as eminent proof that God is understood +and illustrated. [5] + + + + +Origin Of Evil + + +The origin of evil is the problem of ages. It confronts +each generation anew. It confronts Christian Science. +The question is often asked, If God created only the +good, whence comes the evil? [10] + +To this question Christian Science replies: Evil never +did exist as an entity. It is but a belief that there is an +opposite intelligence to God. This belief is a species of +idolatry, and is not more true or real than that an image +graven on wood or stone is God. [15] + +The mortal admission of the reality of evil perpetuates +faith in evil; and the Scriptures declare that “to whom +ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye +are.” This leading, self-evident proposition of Christian +Science, that, good being real, its opposite is necessarily [20] +unreal, needs to be grasped in all its divine requirements. + + + + +Truth Versus Error + + +“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures +of silver.” It is a rule in Christian Science never to re- +peat error unless it becomes requisite to bring out Truth. [25] +Then lift the curtain, let in the light, and countermand + +[Page 347.] + +this first command of Solomon, “Answer not a fool accord- [1] +ing to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him,” + +A distant rumbling and quivering of the earth foretell +the internal action of pent-up gas. To avoid danger from +this source people have to escape from their houses to the [5] +open space. A conical cloud, hanging like a horoscope +in the air, foreshadows a cyclone. To escape from this +calamity people prepare shelter in caves of the earth. + +They who discern the face of the skies cannot always +discern the mental signs of these times, and peer through [10] +the opaque error. Where my vision begins and is clear, +theirs grows indistinct and ends. + +There are diversities of operation by the same spirit. +Two individuals, with all the goodness of generous na- +tures, advise me. One says, Go this way; the other [15] +says, Take the opposite direction! Between the two I +stand still; or, accepting the premonition of one of them, +I follow his counsel, take a few steps, then halt. A true +sense not unfamiliar has been awakened. I see the way +now. The guardians of His presence go before me. I [20] +enter the path. It may be smooth, or it may be rugged; +but it is always straight and narrow; and if it be up- +hill all the way, the ascent is easy and the summit can +be gained. + +God is responsible for the mission of those whom He [25] +has anointed. Those who know no will but His take +His hand, and from the night He leads to light. None +can say unto Him, What doest Thou? + +_The Christian Science Journal_ was the oldest and +only authenticated organ of Christian Science up to [30] +1898. Loyal Scientists are targets for envy, rivalry, +slander; and whoever hits this mark is well paid by the + +[Page 348.] + +umpire. But the Scientists aim highest. They press for- [1] +ward towards the mark of a high calling. They recog- +nize the claims of the law and the gospel. They know +that whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap. They +infringe neither the books nor the business of others; and [5] +with hearts overflowing with love for God, they help on the +brotherhood of men. It is not _mine_ but _Thine_ they seek. + +When God bids one uncover iniquity, in order to +exterminate it, one should lay it bare; and divine Love +will bless this endeavor and those whom it reaches. [10] +“Nothing is hid that shall not be revealed.” + +It is only a question of time when God shall reveal His +rod, and show the plan of battle. Error, left to itself, +accumulates. Hence, Solomon’s transverse command: +“Answer a fool according, to his folly, lest he be wise in [15] +his own conceit.” + +To quench the growing flames of falsehood, once in +about seven years I have to repeat this,—that I use no +drugs whatever, not even coffea (coffee), thea (tea), cap- +sicum (red pepper); though every day, and especially at [20] +dinner, I indulge in homœopathic doses of _Natrum muri-_ +_aticum_ (common salt). + +When I found myself under this new _régime_ of medi- +cine, the medicine of Mind, I wanted to satisfy my curi- +osity as to the effect of drugs on one who had lost all [25] +faith in them. Hence I tried several doses of medicine, +and so proved to myself that drugs have no beneficial +effect on an individual in a proper state of mind. + +I have by no means encouraged students of the Massa- +chusetts Metaphysical College to enter medical schools, [30] +and afterwards denied this and objected to their entering +those schools. A student who consulted me on this sub- + +[Page 349.] + +ject, received my consent and even the offer of pecuniary [1] +assistance to take lessons outside of my College, provided +he received these lessons of a certain regular-school physi- +cian, whose instructions included about twelve lessons, +three weeks’ time, and the surgical part of midwifery. I [5] +have students with the degree of M. D., who are skilful +obstetricians. Such a course with such a teacher would +not necessitate essential materialization of a student’s +thought, nor detract from the metaphysical mode of +obstetrics taught in my College. [10] + +This student had taken the above-named course in +obstetrics when he consulted me on the feasibility of enter- +ing a medical school; and to this I objected on the ground +that it was inconsistent with Christian Science, which he +claimed to be practising; but I was willing, and said [15] +so, that, notwithstanding my objection, he should do as +he deemed best, for I claim no jurisdiction over any stu- +dents. He entered the medical school, and several other +students with him. My counsel to all of them was in +substance the same as the foregoing, and some of these [20] +students have openly acknowledged this. + +In answer to a question on the following subject, I +will state that I preached four years, and built up the +church, before I would accept the slightest remuneration. +When the church had sufficient members and means to [25] +pay a salary, and refused to give me up or to receive my +gratuitous services, I accepted, for a time, fifteen dollars +each Sunday when I preached. I never received more +than this; and the contributions, when I preached, +doubled that amount. I have accepted no pay from my [30] +church for about three years, and believe that I have +put into the church-fund about two thousand dollars of + +[Page 350.] + +my own contributions. I hold receipts for $1,489.50 paid [1] +in, and the balance was never receipted for. + +I temporarily organized a secret society known as the +P. M., the workings whereof were not “terrible and too +shocking to relate.” By and with advice of the very [5] +student who brings up the question of this society, it +was formed. The P. M. (Private Meeting) Society met +only twice. The first subject given out for considera- +tion was this: “There is no Animal Magnetism.” There +was no advice given, no mental work, and there were [10] +no transactions at those meetings which I would hesitate +to have known. On the contrary, our deliberations +were, as usual, Christian, and like my public instruction. +The second P. M. convened in about one week from the +first. The subject given out at that meeting was, in sub- [15] +stance, “God is All; there is none beside Him.” This +proved to be our last meeting. I dissolved the society, +and we have not met since. If harm could come from +the consideration of these two topics, it was because of +the misconception of those subjects in the mind that [20] +handled them. An individual state of mind sometimes +occasions effects on patients which are not in harmony +with Science and the soundness of the argument used. +Hence it prevents the normal action, and the benefit that would otherwise + accrue. [25] + +I issue no arguments, and cause none to be used in +mental practice, which consign people to suffering. On +the contrary, I cannot serve two masters; therefore I +teach the use of such arguments only as promote health +and spiritual growth. My life, consecrated to humanity [30] +through nameless suffering and sacrifice, furnishes its +own proof of my practice. + +[Page 351.] + +I have sometimes called on students to test their ability [1] +and meet the mental malpractice, so as to lift the burdens +imposed by students. + +The fact is, that for want of time, and for the purpose +of blessing even my enemies, I neglect myself. I never [5] +have practised by arguments which, perverted, are the +weapons of the silent mental malpractice. I have no skill +in occultism; and I could not if I would, and would not +if I could, harm any one through the mental method of +Mind-healing, or in any manner. [10] + +The late much-ado-about-nothing arose solely from +mental malicious practice, and the audible falsehood +designed to stir up strife between brethren, for the purpose +of placing Christian Science in the hands of aspirants +for place and power. These repeated attempts of mad [15] +ambition may retard our Cause, but they never can place +it in the wrong hands and hold it there, nor benefit +mankind by such endeavors. + + + + +Fallibility Of Human Concepts + + +Evil counterfeits good: it says, “I am Truth,” though [20] +it is a lie; it says, “I am Love,”—but Love is spirit- +ual, and sensuous love is material, wherefore it is hate +instead of Love; for the five senses give to mortals pain, +sickness, sin, and death,—pleasure that is false, life that +leads unto death, joy that becomes sorrow. Love that is [25] +not the procurator of happiness, declares itself the anti- +pode of Love; and Love divine punishes the joys of this +false sense of love, chastens its affection, purifies it, and +turns it into the opposite channels. + +Material life is the antipode of spiritual life; it mocks [30] + +[Page 352.] + +the bliss of spiritual being; it is bereft of permanence and [1] +peace. + +When human sense is quickened to behold aright the +error,—the error of regarding Life, Truth, Love as +material and not spiritual, or as both material and spirit- [5] +ual,—it is able for the first time to discern the Science +of good. But it must first see the error of its present +erroneous course, to be able to behold the facts of Truth +outside of the error; and, _vice versa_, when it discovers +the truth, this uncovers the error and quickens the true [10] +consciousness of God, good. May the human shadows of +thought lengthen as they approach the light, until they +are lost in light and no night is there! + +In Science, sickness is healed upon the same Principle +and by the same rule that sin is healed. To know the [15] +supposed bodily belief of the patient and what has claimed +to produce it, enables the practitioner to act more under- +standingly in destroying this belief. Thus it is in heal- +ing the moral sickness; the malicious mental operation +must be understood in order to enable one to destroy [20] +it and its effects. There is not sufficient spiritual power +in the human thought to heal the sick or the sinful. +Through the divine energies alone one must either get +out of himself and into God so far that his consciousness +is the reflection of the divine, or he must, through argu- [25] +ment and the human consciousness of both evil and good, +overcome evil. + +The only difference between the healing of sin and the +healing of sickness is, that sin must be _un_covered before +it can be destroyed, and the moral sense be aroused to [30] +reject the sense of error; while sickness must be cov- +ered with the veil of harmony, and the consciousness be + +[Page 353.] + +allowed to rejoice in the sense that it has nothing to mourn [1] +over, but something to forget. + +Human concepts run in extremes; they are like the +action of sickness, which is either an excess of action or +not action enough; they are fallible; they are neither [5] +standards nor models. + +If one asks me, Is my concept of you right? I reply, The +human concept is always imperfect; relinquish your human +concept of me, or of any one, and find the divine, and you +have gained the right one—and never until then. People [10] +give me too much attention of the misguided, fallible sort, +and this misrepresents one through malice or ignorance. + +My brother was a manufacturer; and one day a work- +man in his mills, a practical joker, set a man who applied +for work, in the overseer’s absence, to pour a bucket of [15] +water every ten minutes on the regulator. When my +brother returned and saw it, he said to the jester, “You +must pay that man.” Some people try to tend folks, as +if they should steer the regulator of mankind. God makes +_us_ pay for tending the action that He adjusts. [20] + +The regulator is governed by the principle that makes +the machinery work rightly; and because it _is_ thus gov- +erned, the folly of tending it is no mere jest. The divine +Principle carries on His harmony. + +Now turn from the metaphor of the mill to the Mother’s [25] +four thousand children, most of whom, at about three +years of scientific age, set up housekeeping alone. Certain +students, being too much interested in themselves to think +of helping others, go their way. They do not love Mother, +but pretend to; they constantly go to her for help, interrupt [30] +the home-harmony, criticise and disobey her; then “return +to their vomit,”—world worship, pleasure seeking, and + +[Page 354.] + +sense indulgence,—meantime declaring they “never dis- [1] +obey Mother”! It exceeds my conception of human +nature. Sin in its very nature is marvellous! Who but a +moral idiot, sanguine of success in sin, can steal, and lie +and lie, and lead the innocent to doom? History needs it, [5] +and it has the grandeur of the loyal, self-forgetful, faith- +ful Christian Scientists to overbalance this foul stuff. + +When the Mother’s love can no longer promote peace +in the family, wisdom is not “justified of her children.” +When depraved reason is preferred to revelation, error [10] +to Truth, and evil to good, and sense seams sounder than +Soul, the children are tending the regulator; they are +indeed losing the knowledge of the divine Principle and +rules of Christian Science, whose fruits prove the nature +of their source. A little more grace, a motive made pure, [15] +a few truths tenderly told, a heart softened, a character +subdued, a life consecrated, would restore the right action +of the mental mechanism, and make manifest the move- +ment of body and soul in accord with God. + +Instead of relying on the Principle of all that really [20] +exists,—to govern His own creation,—self-conceit, igno- +rance, and pride would regulate God’s action. Expe- +rience shows that humility is the first step in Christian +Science, wherein all is controlled, not by man or laws +material, but by wisdom, Truth, and Love. [25] + + + Go gaze on the eagle, his eye on the sun, + Fast gathering strength for a flight well begun, + As rising he rests in a liberty higher + Than genius inflated with worldly desire. + + No tear dims his eye, nor his pinions lose power [30] + To gaze on the lark in her emerald bower— + Whenever he soareth to fashion his nest, + No vision more bright than the dream in his breast. + + +[Page 355.] + + + + +The Way + + +The present stage of progress in Christian Science pre- [2] +sents two opposite aspects,—a full-orbed promise, and +a gaunt want. The need, however, is not of the letter, +but the spirit. [5] + +Less teaching and good healing is to-day the acme of +“well done;” a healing that is not guesswork,—chronic +recovery ebbing and flowing,—but instantaneous cure. +This absolute demonstration of Science must be revived. +To consummate this _desideratum_, mortal mind must pass [10] +through three stages of growth. + +First, self-knowledge. The physician must know him- +self and understand the mental state of his patient. Error +found out is two-thirds destroyed, and the last third +pierces itself, for the remainder only stimulates and gives [15] +scope to higher demonstration. To strike out right and +left against the mist, never clears the vision; but to lift +your head above it, is a sovereign panacea. Mental dark- +ness is senseless error, neither intelligence nor power, and +its victim is responsible for its supposititious presence. [20] +“Cast the beam out of thine own eye.” Learn what in +thine own mentality is unlike “the anointed,” and cast +it out; then thou wilt discern the error in thy patient’s +mind that makes his body sick, and remove it, and rest +like the dove from the deluge. [25] + +“Physician, heal thyself.” Let no clouds of sin gather +and fall in mist and showers from thine own mental +atmosphere. Hold thy gaze to the light, and the iris of +faith, more beautiful than the rainbow seen from my +window at the close of a balmy autumnal day, will span [30] +thy heavens of thought. + +[Page 356.] + +A radiant sunset, beautiful as blessings when they take [1] +their flight, dilates and kindles into rest. Thus will a +life corrected illumine its own atmosphere with spiritual +glow and understanding. + +The pent-up elements of mortal mind need no terrible [5] +detonation to free them. Envy, rivalry, hate need no +temporary indulgence that they be destroyed through +suffering; they should be stifled from lack of air and +freedom. + +My students, with cultured intellects, chastened affec- [10] +tions, and costly hopes, give promise of grand careers. +But they must remember that the seedtime is passed, +the harvest hour has come; and songs should ascend +from the mount of revelation, sweeter than the sound of +vintage bells. [15] + +The seed of Christian Science, which when sown was +“the least of all seeds,” has sprung up, borne fruit, and +the birds of the air, the uplifted desires of the human +heart, have lodged in its branches. Now let my faithful +students carry the fruit of this tree into the rock-ribbed [20] +nests of the raven’s callow brood. + +The second stage of mental development is humility. +This virtue triumphs over the flesh; it is the genius of +Christian Science. One can never go up, until one has +gone down in his own esteem. Humility is lens and [25] +prism to the understanding of Mind-healing; it must be +had to understand our textbook; it is indispensable to +personal growth, and points out the chart of its divine +Principle and rule of practice. + +Cherish humility, “watch,” and “pray without ceasing,” [30] +or you will miss the way of Truth and Love. Humility +is no busybody: it has no moments for trafficking + +[Page 357.] + +in other people’s business, no place for envy, no time for [1] +idle words, vain amusements, and all the _et cetera_ of the +ways and means of personal sense. + +Let Christian Scientists minister to the sick; the school- +room is the _dernier ressort_. Let them seek the lost sheep [5] +who, having strayed from the true fold, have lost their +great Shepherd and yearn to find living pastures and +rest beside still waters. These long for the Christlike- +ness that is above the present status of religion and be- +yond the walks of common life, quite on the verge of [10] +heaven. Without the cross and healing, Christianity has +no central emblem, no history. + +The seeds of Truth fall by the wayside, on artless +listeners. They fall on stony ground and shallow soil. +The fowls of the air pick them up. Much of what has [15] +been sown has withered away, but what remaineth has +fallen into the good and honest hearts and is bearing +fruit. + +The third stage of mental growth is manifested in _love_, +the greatest of all stages and states of being; love that [20] +is irrespective of self, rank, or following. For some time +it has been clear to my thought that those students of +Christian Science whose Christian characters and lives +recommend them, should receive full fellowship from us, +no matter who has taught them. If they have been taught [25] +wrongly, they are not morally responsible for this, and +need special help. They are as lambs that have sought +the true fold and the great Shepherd, and strayed inno- +cently; hence we should be ready and glad to help them +and point the way. [30] + +Divine Love is the substance of Christian Science, the +basis of its demonstration, yea, its foundation and super- + +[Page 358.] + +structure. Love impels good works. Love is greatly [1] +needed, and must be had to mark the way in divine +Science. + +The student who heals by teaching and teaches by +healing, will graduate under divine honors, which are [5] +the only appropriate seals for Christian Science. State +honors perish, and their gain is loss to the Christian +Scientist. They include for him at present naught but +tardy justice, hounded footsteps, false laurels. God +alone is his help, his shield and great reward. He that [10] +seeketh aught besides God, loseth in Life, Truth, and +Love. All men shall be satisfied when they “awake in +His likeness,” and they never should be until then. Hu- +man pride is human weakness. Self-knowledge, humility, +and love are divine strength. Christ’s vestures are put [15] +on only when mortals are “washed in the blood of the +Lamb;” we must walk in the way which Jesus marked +out, if we would reach the heaven-crowned summit of +Christian Science. + +Be it understood that I do not require Christian Sci- [20] +entists to stop teaching, to dissolve their organizations, +or to desist from organizing churches and associations. + +The Massachusetts Metaphysical College, the first +and only College for teaching Christian Science Mind- +healing, after accomplishing the greatest work of the [25] +ages, and at the pinnacle of prosperity, is closed. Let +Scientists who have grown to self-sacrifice do their +present work, awaiting, with staff in hand, God’s +commands. + +When students have fulfilled all the good ends of [30] +organization, and are convinced that by leaving the +material forms thereof a higher spiritual unity is won, + +[Page 359.] + +then is the time to follow the example of the _Alma Mater_. [1] +Material organization is requisite in the beginning; but +when it has done its work, the purely Christly method +of teaching and preaching must be adopted. On the same +principle, you continue the mental argument in the prac- [5] +tice of Christian healing until you can cure without it +instantaneously, and through Spirit alone. + +St. Paul says: “When I was a child, I spake as a +child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but +when I became a man, I put away childish things. For [10] +now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to +face.” Growth is restricted by forcing humanity out of +the proper channels for development, or by holding it in +fetters. + +For Jesus to walk the water was scientific, insomuch [15] +as he was able to do this; but it is neither wisdom nor +Science for poor humanity to step upon the Atlantic until +we can walk on the water. + +Peter’s impetuosity was rebuked. He had to learn +from experience; so have we. The methods of our [20] +Master were in advance of the period in which he per- +sonally appeared; but his example was right, and is +available at the right time. The _way_ is absolute divine +Science: walk ye in it; but remember that Science is +demonstrated by degrees, and our demonstration rises [25] +only as we rise in the scale of being. + + + + +Science And Philosophy + + +Men give counsel; but they give not the wisdom to +profit by it. To ask wisdom of God, is the beginning of +wisdom. [30] + +[Page 360.] + +Meekness, moderating human desire, inspires wisdom [1] +and procures divine power. Human lives are yet un- +carved,—in the rough marble, encumbered with crude, +rude fragments, and awaiting the hammering, chiselling, +and transfiguration from His hand. [5] + +Great only as good, because fashioned divinely, were +those unpretentious yet colossal characters, Paul and +Jesus. Theirs were modes of mind cast in the moulds +of Christian Science: Paul’s, by the supremely natural +transforming power of Truth; and the character of [10] +Jesus, by his original scientific sonship with God. Phi- +losophy never has produced, nor can it reproduce, these +stars of the first magnitude—fixed stars in the heavens +of Soul. When shall earth be crowned with the true +knowledge of Christ? [15] + +When Christian Science has melted away the cloud of +false witnesses; and the dews of divine grace, fall- +ing upon the blighted flowers of fleeting joys, shall +lift every thought-leaflet Spiritward; and “Israel after +the flesh,” who partaketh of its own altars, shall be [20] +no more,—then, “the Israel according to Spirit” +shall fill earth with the divine energies, understanding, +and ever-flowing tides of spiritual sensation and consciousness. + +When mortal mind is silenced by the “still, small voice” [25] +of Truth that regenerates philosophy and logic; and +Jesus, as the true idea of Him, is heard as of yore saying +to sensitive ears and dark disciples, “I came from the +Father,” “Before Abraham was, I am,” coexistent and +coeternal with God,—and this idea is understood,— [30] +then will the earth be filled with the true knowledge of +Christ. No advancing modes of human mind made + +[Page 361.] + +Jesus; rather was it their subjugation, and the pure [1] +heart that sees God. + +When the belief in material origin, mortal mind, sen- +sual conception, dissolves through self-imposed suffering, +and its substances are found substanceless,—then its [5] +miscalled life ends in death, and death itself is swallowed +up in Life,—spiritual Life, whose myriad forms are +neither material nor mortal. + +When every form and mode of evil disappear to hu- +man thought, and mollusk and radiate are spiritual con- [10] +cepts testifying to one creator,—then, earth is full of +His glory, and Christian Science has overshadowed all +human philosophy, and being is understood in startling +contradiction of human hypotheses; and Socrates, Plato, +Kant, Locke, Berkeley, Tyndall, Darwin, and Spencer [15] +sit at the feet of Jesus. + +To this great end, Paul admonished, “Let us lay aside +every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, +and let us run with patience the race that is set before +us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our [20] +faith.” So shall mortals soar to final freedom, and rest +from the subtlety of speculative wisdom and human +woe. + +God is the only Mind, and His manifestation is the +spiritual universe, including man and all eternal indi- [25] +viduality. God, the only substance and divine Principle +of creation, is by no means a creative partner in the firm +of error, named matter, or mortal mind. He elucidates +His own idea, wherein Principle and idea, God and man, +are not one, but are inseparable as cause and effect. If [30] +one, who could say which that “one” was? + +His ways are not as our ways. The divine modes + +[Page 362.] + +and manifestations are not those of the material senses; [1] +for instance, intelligent matter, or mortal mind, material +birth, growth, and decay: they are the forever-existing +realities of divine Science; wherein God and man are +perfect, and man’s reason is at rest in God’s wisdom,— [5] +who comprehends and reflects all real mode, form, indi- +viduality, identity. + +Scholastic dogma has made men blind. Christ’s _logos_ +gives sight to these blind, ears to these deaf, feet to these +lame,—physically, morally, spiritually. Theologians [10] +make the mortal mistake of believing that God, having +made _all_, made evil; but the Scriptures declare that all +that He made was good. Then, was evil part and parcel +of His creation? + +Philosophy hypothetically regards creation as its own [15] +creator, puts cause into effect, and out of nothing would +create something, whose noumenon is mortal mind, +with its phenomenon matter,—an evil mind already +doomed, whose modes are material manifestations of +evil, and that continually, until self-extinguished by [20] +suffering! + +Here revelation must come to the rescue of mortals, +to remove this mental millstone that is dragging them +downward, and refute erring reason with the spiritual +cosmos and Science of Soul. We all must find shelter [25] +from the storm and tempest in the tabernacle of Spirit. +Truth is won through Science or suffering: O vain mor- +tals! which shall it be? And suffering has no reward, +except when it is necessary to prevent sin or reform +the sinner. And pleasure is no crime except when it [30] +strengthens the influence of bad inclinations or lessens +the activities of virtue. The more nearly an erring so- + +[Page 363.] + +called mind approaches purity, the more conscious it [1] +becomes of its own unreality, and of the great reality of +divine Mind and true happiness. + +The “ego” that claims selfhood in error, and passes +from molecule and monkey up to man, is no ego, but is [5] +simply the supposition that the absence of good is mind +and makes men,—when its greatest flatterer, identifica- +tion, is piqued by Him who compensateth vanity with +nothingness, dust with dust! + +The mythology of evil and mortality is but the ma- [10] +terial mode of a suppositional mind; while the immortal +modes of Mind are spiritual, and pass through none of +the changes of matter, or evil. Truth said, and said from +the beginning, “Let us [Spirit] make man perfect;” and +there is no other Maker: a perfect man would not desire [15] +to make himself imperfect, and God is not chargeable +with imperfection. His modes declare the beauty of holi- +ness, and His manifold wisdom shines through the visible +world in glimpses of the eternal verities. Even through +the mists of mortality is seen the brightness of His [20] +coming. + +We must avoid the shoals of a sensual religion or +philosophy that misguides reason and affection, and +hold fast to the Principle of Christian Science as the +Word that _is_ God, Spirit, and Truth. This Word cor- [25] +rects the philosopher, confutes the astronomer, exposes +the subtle sophist, and drives diviners mad. The Bible +is the learned man’s masterpiece, the ignorant man’s +dictionary, the wise man’s directory. + +I foresee and foresay that every advancing epoch of so [30] +Truth will be characterized by a more spiritual appre- +hension of the Scriptures, that will show their marked + +[Page 364.] + +consonance with the textbook of Christian Science Mind- [1] +healing, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” +Interpreting the Word in the “new tongue,” whereby +the sick are healed, naturally evokes new paraphrase +from the world of letters. “Wait patiently on the Lord, [5] +and He will renew your strength.” In return for indi- +vidual sacrifice, what a recompense to have healed, through +Truth, the sick and sinful, made the public your friend, +and posterity your familiar! + +Christian Science refutes everything that is not a [10] +postulate of the divine Principle, God. It is the soul of +divine philosophy, and there is no other philosophy. It +is not a search after wisdom, it _is_ wisdom: it is God’s +right hand grasping the universe,—all time, space, +immortality, thought, extension, cause, and effect; con- [15] +stituting and governing all identity, individuality, law, +and power. It stands on this Scriptural platform: +that He made all that was made, and it is good, reflects +the divine Mind, is governed by it; and that nothing +apart from this Mind, one God, is self-created or evolves [20] +the universe. + +Human hypotheses predicate matter of Spirit and +evil of good; hence these opposites must either cooperate +or quarrel throughout time and eternity,—or until +this impossible partnership is dissolved. If Spirit is the [25] +lawgiver to matter, and good has the same power or +modes as evil, it has the same consciousness, and there +is no absolute good. This error, carried to its ultimate, +would either extinguish God and His modes, or give +reality and power to evil _ad infinitum_. [30] + +Christian Science rends this veil of the temple of gods, +and reproduces the divine philosophy of Jesus and Paul. + +[Page 365.] + +This philosophy alone will bear the strain of time and [1] +bring out the glories of eternity; for “other founda- +tion can no man lay than that is laid,” which is Christ, +Truth. + +Human theories weighed in the balances of God are [5] +found wanting; and their highest endeavors are to Science +what a child’s love of pictures is to art. The school whose +schoolmaster is not Christ, gets things wrong, and is ignorant +thereof. + +If Christian Science lacked the proof of its goodness [10] +and utility, it would destroy itself; for it rests alone on +demonstration. Its genius is right thinking and right +acting, physical and moral harmony; and the secret of +its success lies in supplying the universal need of better +health and better men. [15] + +Good health and a more spiritual religion form the +common want, and this want has worked out a moral +result; namely, that mortal mind is calling for what im- +mortal Mind alone can supply. If the uniform moral +and spiritual, as well as physical, effects of divine Science [20] +were lacking, the demand would diminish; but it con- +tinues, and increases, which shows the real value of +Christian Science to the race. Even doctors agree that +infidelity, bigotry, or sham has never met the growing +wants of humanity. [25] + +As a literature, Christian metaphysics is hampered by +lack of proper terms in which to express what it means. +As a Science, it is held back by the common ignorance +of what it is and of what it does,—and more than all +else, by the impostors that come in its name. To be [30] +appreciated, it must be conscientiously understood and +introduced. + +[Page 366.] + +If the Bible and “Science and Health with Key to the [1] +Scriptures” had in our schools the time or attention that +human hypotheses consume, they would advance the +world. True, it requires more study to understand and +demonstrate what they teach than to learn the doctrine [5] +of theology, philosophy, or physics, because they con- +tain and offer Science, with fixed Principle, given rule, +and unmistakable proof. + +The Scriptures give the keynote of Christian Science +from Genesis to Revelation, and this is the prolonged [10] +tone: “For the Lord He is God, and there is +_none beside Him_.” And because He is All-in-all, +He is in nothing unlike Himself; and nothing that +worketh or maketh a lie is in Him, or can be divine con- +sciousness. [15] + +At this date, poor jaded humanity needs to get her +eyes open to a new style of imposition in the field of +medicine and of religion, and to “beware of the leaven +of the scribes and Pharisees,” the doctrines of men, even +as Jesus admonished. From first to last, evil insists on [20] +the unity of good and evil as the purpose of God; and +on drugs, electricity, and animal magnetism as modes +of medicine. To a greater or less extent, all mortal conclusions +start from this false premise, and they necessarily +culminate in sickness, sin, disease, and death. [25] +Erroneous doctrines never have abated and never will +abate dishonesty, self-will, envy, and lust. To destroy +sin and its sequence, is the office of Christ, Truth,—ac- +cording to His mode of Christian Science; and this is +being done daily. [30] + +The false theories whose names are legion, gilded with +sophistry and what Jesus had not, namely, mere book- + +[Page 367.] + +learning,—letter without law, gospel, or demonstration, [1] +—have no place in Christian Science. This Science re- +quires man to be honest, just, pure; to love his neighbor +as himself, and to love God supremely. + +Matter and evil are subjective states of error or mortal [5] +mind. But Mind is immortal; and the fact of there +being no mortal mind, exposes the lie of suppositional +evil, showing that error is not Mind, substance, or +Life. Thus, whatever is wrongfully-minded will dis- +appear in the proportion that Science is understood, [10] +and the reality of being—goodness and harmony—is +demonstrated. + +Error says that knowing all things implies the neces- +sity of knowing evil, that it dishonors God to claim that +He is ignorant of anything; but God says of this fruit [15] +of the tree of knowledge of _both_ good and evil, “In the +day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die.” If +God is infinite good, He knows nothing but good; if He +did know aught else, He would not be infinite. Infinite +Mind knows nothing beyond Himself or Herself. To [20] +good, evil is never present; for evil is a different state of +consciousness. It was not against evil, but against _know-_ +_ing_ evil, that God forewarned. He dwelleth in light; +and in the light He sees light, and cannot see darkness. +The opposite conclusion, that darkness dwelleth in light, [25] +has neither precedent nor foundation in nature, in logic, +or in the character of Christ. + +The senses would say that whatever saves from sin, +must know sin. Truth replies that God is too pure +to behold iniquity; and by virtue of His ignorance of [30] +that which is not, He knoweth that which _is_, and +abideth in Himself, the only Life, Truth, and Love, + +[Page 368.] + +—and is reflected by a universe in His own image [1] +and likeness. + +Even so, Father, let the light that shineth in dark- +ness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not, dispel this +illusion of the senses, open the eyes of the blind, and cause [5] +the deaf to hear. + +“Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne. +Yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind the dim unknown, +Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own.” + LOWELL + + + + +“Take Heed!” + + +We regret to be obliged to say that all are not meta- +physicians, or Christian Scientists, who call themselves +so. Charlatanism, fraud, and malice are getting into +the ranks of the good and pure, sending forth a poison [15] +more deadly than the upas-tree in the eastern archi- +pelago. This evil obtains in the present false teaching +and false practice of the Science of treating disease through +Mind. The silent address of a mental malpractitioner +can only be portrayed in these words of the apostle, [20] +“whisperers,” and “the poison of asps is under their +tongue.” + +Some of the mere puppets of the hour are playing +only for money, and at a fearful stake. Others, from +malice and envy, are working out the destinies of the [25] +damned. But while the best, perverted, on the mortal +plane may become the worst, let us not forget that the +Lord reigns, and that this earth shall some time rejoice +in His supreme rule,—that the tired watchmen on the + +[Page 369.] + +walls of Zion, and the true Christian Scientist at the foot [1] +of the mount of revelation, shall look up with shouts and +thanksgiving,—that God’s law, as in divine Science, +shall be finally understood; and the gospel of glad tidings +bring “on earth peace, good will toward men.” [5] + + + + +The Cry Of Christmas-Tide + + +Metaphysics, not physics, enables us to stand erect +on sublime heights, surveying the immeasurable universe +of Mind, peering into the cause which governs all effects, +while we are strong in the unity of God and man. There [10] +is “method” in the “madness” of this system,—since +madness it seems to many onlookers. This method sits +serene at the portals of the temple of thought, while +the leaders of materialistic schools indulge in mad +antics. Metaphysical healing seeks a wisdom that is [15] +higher than a rhubarb tincture or an ipecacuanha pill. +This method is devout enough to trust Christ more than +it does drugs. + +Meekly we kneel at our Master’s feet, for even a crumb +that falleth from his table. We are hungry for Love, [20] +for the white-winged charity that heals and saves; we +are tired of theoretic husks,—as tired as was the prodi- +gal son of the carobs which he shared with the swine, +to whom he fed that wholesome but unattractive food. +Like him, we would find our Father’s house again— [25] +the perfect and eternal Principle of man. We thirst +for inspiring wine from the vine which our Father tends. +We crave the privilege of saying to the sick, when their + +[Page 370.] + +feebleness calls for help, “Rise and walk.” We rejoice [1] +to say, in the spirit of our Master, “Stretch forth thy +hand, and be whole!” + +When the Pharisees saw Jesus do such deeds of mercy, +they went away and took counsel how they might remove [5] +him. The antagonistic spirit of evil is still abroad; but +the greater spirit of Christ is also abroad,—risen from +the grave-clothes of tradition and the cave of ignorance. +Let the sentinels of Zion’s watch-towers shout once +again, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is [10] +given.” + +In different ages the divine idea assumes different +forms, according to humanity’s needs. In this age it +assumes, more intelligently than ever before, the form +of Christian healing. This is the babe we are to cherish. [15] +This is the babe that twines its loving arms about the +neck of omnipotence, and calls forth infinite care from +His loving heart. + + + + +Blind Leaders + + +What figure is less favorable than a wolf in sheep’s [20] +clothing? The braying donkey whose ears stick out is +less troublesome. What manner of man is it that has +discovered an improvement on Christian Science, a “met- +aphysical healing” by which error destroys error, and +would gather all sorts into a “national convention” by [25] +the sophistry that such is the true fold for Christian heal- +ers, since the good shepherd cares for all? + +Yes; the _good_ Shepherd does care for all, and His +first care is to separate the sheep from the goats; and + +[Page 371.] + +this is among the first lessons on healing taught by our [1] +great Master. + +If, as the gentleman aforesaid states, large flocks of +metaphysicians are wandering about without a leader, +what has opened his eyes to see the need of taking them [5] +out of the care of the great Shepherd, and behold the +remedy, to help them by his own leadership? Is it that +he can guide Christian Scientists better than they, through +the guidance of our common Father, can guide them- +selves? or is it that they are incapable of helping them- [10] +selves thus? + +I as their teacher can say, They know far more of +Christian Science than he who deprecates their condition +appears to, and my heart pleads for them to possess +more and more of Truth and Love; but mixing all grades [15] +of persons is not productive of the better sort, although +he who has self-interest in this mixing is apt to pro- +pose it. + +Whoever desires to say, “good right, and good wrong,” +has no truth to defend. It is a wise saying that “men [20] +are known by their enemies.” To sympathize in any +degree with error, is not to rectify it; but error always +strives to unite, in a definition of purpose, with Truth, +to give it buoyancy. What is under the mask, but error +in borrowed plumes? [25] + + + + +“Christ And Christmas” + + +An Illustrated Poem + +This poem and its illustrations are as hopelessly origi- +nal as is “Science and Health with Key to the Scrip- + +[Page 372.] + +tures.” When the latter was first issued, critics declared [1] +that it was incorrect, contradictory, unscientific, unchris- +tian; but those human opinions had not one feather’s +weight in the scales of God. The fact remains, that +the textbook of Christian Science is transforming the [5] +universe. + +“Christ and Christmas” voices Christian Science +through song and object-lesson. In two weeks from the +date of its publication in December, 1893, letters extoll- +ing it were pouring in from artists and poets. A mother [10] +wrote, “Looking at the pictures in your wonderful book +has healed my child.” + +Knowing that this book would produce a stir, I sought +the judgment of sound critics familiar with the works +of masters in France and Italy. From them came such [15] +replies as the following: “The illustrations of your poem +are truly a work of art, and the artist seems quite familiar +with delineations from the old masters.” I am delighted +to find “Christ and Christmas” in accord with the +ancient and most distinguished artists. [20] + +_The Christian Science Journal_ gives no uncertain dec- +laration concerning the spirit and mission of “Christ and +Christmas.” + +I aimed to reproduce, with reverent touch, the modest +glory of divine Science. Not by aid of foreign device [25] +or environment could I copy art,—never having seen +the painter’s masterpieces; but the _art_ of Christian +Science, with true hue and character of the living God, +is akin to its _Science_: and Science and Health gives +scopes and shades to the shadows of divinity, thus im- [30] +parting to humanity the true sense of meekness and +might. + +[Page 373.] + +One incident serves to illustrate the simple nature of [1] +art. + +I insisted upon placing the serpent behind the woman +in the picture “Seeking and Finding.” My artist at the +easel objected, as he often did, to my sense of Soul’s [5] +expression through the brush; but, as usual, he finally +yielded. A few days afterward, the following from Roth- +erham’s translation of the New Testament was handed +to me,—I had never before seen it: “And the serpent +cast out of his mouth, _behind_ the woman, water as a [10] +river, that he might cause her to be river-borne.” Neither +material finesse, standpoint, nor perspective guides the +infinite Mind and spiritual vision that should, does, guide +His children. + +One great master clearly delineates Christ’s appear- [15] +ing in the flesh, and his healing power, as clad not in +soft raiment or gorgeous apparel; and when forced out +of its proper channel, as living feebly, in kings’ courts. +This master’s thought presents a sketch of Christian- +ity’s state, in the early part of the Christian era, as [20] +homelessness in a wilderness. But in due time Chris- +tianity entered into synagogues, and, as St. Mark +writes, it has rich possession here, with houses and +lands. In Genesis we read that God gave man do- +minion over all things; and this assurance is followed [25] +by Jesus’ declaration, “All power is given unto me +in heaven and in earth,” and by his promise that the +Christlike shall finally sit down at the right hand of the +Father. + +Christian Science is more than a prophet or a proph- [30] +ecy: it presents not words alone, but works,—the daily +demonstration of Truth and Love. Its healing and sav- + +[Page 374.] + +ing power was so great a proof of Immanuel and the [1] +realism of Christianity, that it caused even the publi- +cans to justify God. Although clad in panoply of power, +the Pharisees scorned the spirit of Christ in most of its +varied manifestations. To them it was cant and carica- [5] +ture,—always the opposite of what it was. Keen and +alert was their indignation at whatever rebuked hypocrisy +and demanded Christianity in life and religion. In view +of this, Jesus said, “Wisdom is justified of all her +children.” [10] + +Above the fogs of sense and storms of passion, Chris- +tian Science and its art will rise triumphant; ignorance, +envy, and hatred—earth’s harmless thunder—pluck +not their heaven-born wings. Angels, with overtures, +hold charge over both, and announce their Principle and [15] +idea. + +It is most fitting that Christian Scientists memorize +the nativity of Jesus. To him who brought a great light +to all ages, and named his burdens light, homage is in- +deed due,—but is bankrupt. I never looked on my [20] +ideal of the face of the Nazarite Prophet; but the one +illustrating my poem approximates it. + +Extremists in every age either doggedly deny or fran- +tically affirm what is what: one renders not unto Cæsar +“the things that are Cæsar’s;” the other sees “Helen’s [25] +beauty in a brow of Egypt.” + +Pictures are portions of one’s ideal, but this ideal is +not one’s personality. Looking behind the veil, he that +perceives a semblance between the thinker and his thought +on canvas, blames him not. [30] + +Because my ideal of an angel is a woman without +_feathers_ on her wings,—is it less artistic or less natu- + +[Page 375.] + +ral? Pictures which present disordered phases of ma- [1] +terial conceptions and personality blind with animality, +are not my concepts of angels. What is the material ego, +but the counterfeit of the spiritual? + +The truest art of Christian Science is to be a Chris- [5] +tian Scientist; and it demands more than a Raphael to +delineate _this_ art. + +The following is an extract from a letter reverting to +the illustrations of “Christ and Christmas”:— + +“In my last letter, I did not utter all I felt about the [10] +wonderful new book you have given us. Years ago, +while in Italy, I studied the old masters and their great +works of art thoroughly, and so got quite an idea of +what constitutes true art. Then I spent two years in +Paris, devoting every moment to the study of music and [15] +art. + +“The first thing that impressed me in your illustra- +tions was the conscientious application to detail, which is +is the foundation of true art. From that, I went on to +study each illustration thoroughly, and to my amazement [20] +and delight I find an almost identical resemblance, in +many things, to the old masters! In other words, the art +is perfect. + +“The hands and feet of the figures—how many times +have I seen these hands and feet in Angelico’s “Jesus,” [25] +or Botticelli’s “Madonna”! + +“It gave me such a thrill of joy as no words can ex- +press, to see produced to-day that art—the only true +art—that we have identified with the old masters, and +mourned as belonging to them exclusively,—a thing of [30] +the past, impossible of reproduction. + +“All that I can say to you, as one who gives no mean + +[Page 376.] + +attention to such matters, is that the art is perfect. It [1] +is the true art of the oldest, most revered, most authen- +tic Italian school, revived. I use the words _most au-_ +_thentic_ in the following sense: the face, figure, and +drapery of Jesus, very closely resemble in detail the [5] +face, figure, and drapery of that Jesus portrayed by the +oldest of the old masters, and said to have been authen- +tic; the face having been taken by Fra Angelico from +Cæsar’s Cameo, the figure and garments from a descrip- +tion, in _The Galaxy_, of a small sketch handed down [10] +from the _living reality_. _Their_ productions are expres- +sionless copies of an engraving cut in a stone. _Yours_ +is a palpitating, living Saviour engraven on the heart. +You have given us back our Jesus, and in a much better +is form.” [15] + + + + +Sunrise At Pleasant View + + +Who shall describe the brave splendor of a November +sky that this morning burst through the lattice for me, +on my bed? According to terrestrial calculations, above +the horizon, in the east, there rose one rod of rainbow [20] +hues, crowned with an acre of eldritch ebony. Little +by little this topmost pall, drooping over a deeply daz- +zling sunlight, softened, grew gray, then gay, and glided +into a glory of mottled marvels. Fleecy, faint, fairy +blue and golden flecks came out on a background of [25] +cerulean hue; while the lower lines of light kindled into +gold, orange, pink, crimson, violet; and diamond, topaz, +opal, garnet, turquoise, and sapphire spangled the gloom +in celestial space as with the brightness of His glory. +Then thought I, What are we, that He who fashions for- [30] + +[Page 377.] + +ever such forms and hues of heaven, should move our [1] +brush or pen to paint frail fairness or to weave a web +of words that glow with gladdening gleams of God, so +unapproachable, and yet so near and full of radiant relief +in clouds and darkness! [5] + + + + + +CHAPTER X. INKLINGS HISTORIC + + +[Page 378.] + +About the year 1862, while the author of this work [1] +was at Dr. Vail’s Hydropathic Institute in New +Hampshire, this occurred: A patient considered incur- +able left that institution, and in a few weeks returned +apparently well, having been healed, as he informed [5] +the patients, by one Mr. P. P. Quimby of Portland, +Maine. + +After much consultation among ourselves, and a struggle +with pride, the author, in company with several other +patients, left the water-cure, _en route_ for the aforesaid [10] +doctor in Portland. He proved to be a magnetic practi- +tioner. His treatment seemed at first to relieve her, but +signally failed in healing her case. + +Having practised homœopathy, it never occurred to the +author to learn his practice, but she did ask him how [15] +manipulation could benefit the sick. He answered kindly +and squarely, in substance, “Because it conveys _electricity_ +to them.” That was the sum of what he taught her of +his medical profession. + +The readers of my books cannot fail to see that meta- [20] +physical therapeutics, as in Christian Science, are farther +removed from such thoughts than the nebulous system +is from the earth. + +[Page 379.] + +After treating his patients, Mr. Quimby would retire [1] +to an anteroom and write at his desk. I had a curiosity +to know if he indited anything pathological relative to +his patients, and asked if I could see his pennings on +my case. He immediately presented them. I read the [5] +copy in his presence, and returned it to him. The com- +position was commonplace, mostly descriptive of the gen- +eral appearance, height, and complexion of the individual, +and the nature of the case: it was not at all metaphysi- +cal or scientific; and from his remarks I inferred that [10] +his writings usually ran in the vein of thought presented +by these. He was neither a scholar nor a metaphysician. +I never heard him say that matter was not as real as Mind, +or that electricity was not as potential or remedial, or +allude to God as the divine Principle of all healing. He [15] +certainly had advanced views of his own, but they com- +mingled error with truth, and were not Science. On +his rare humanity and sympathy one could write a +sonnet. + +I had already experimented in medicine beyond the [20] +basis of _materia medica_,—up to the highest attenuation +in homoeopathy, thence to a mental standpoint not un- +derstood and with phenomenally good results;(7) mean- +while assiduously pondering the solution of this great +question: Is it matter, or is it Mind, that heals the [25] +sick? + +It was after Mr. Quimby’s death that I discovered, +in 1866, the momentous facts relating to Mind and its +superiority over matter, and named my discovery Chris- +tian Science. Yet, there remained the difficulty of ad- [30] +justing in the scale of Science a metaphysical _practice_, + +[Page 380.] + +and settling the question, What shall be the outward [1] +sign of such a practice: if a divine Principle alone heals, +what is the human modus for demonstrating this,—in +short, how can sinful mortals prove that a divine Principle +heals the sick, as well as governs the universe, time, [5] +space, immortality, man? + +When contemplating the majesty and magnitude of +this query, it looked as if centuries of spiritual growth +were requisite to enable me to elucidate or to dem- +onstrate what I had discovered: but an unlooked-for, [10] +imperative call for help impelled me to begin this stu- +pendous work at once, and teach the first student in +Christian Science. Even as when an accident, called +fatal to life, had driven me to discover the Science of +Life, I again, in faith, turned to divine help,—and com- [15] +menced teaching. + +My students at first practised in slightly differing +forms. Although _I_ could heal mentally, without a sign +save the immediate recovery of the sick, my students’ +patients, and people generally, called for a sign—a ma- [20] +terial evidence wherewith to satisfy the sick that something +was being done for them; and I said, “Suffer it +to be so now,” for thus saith our Master. Experience, +however, taught me the impossibility of demonstrating +the Science of metaphysical healing by any outward form [25] +of practice. + +In April, 1883, a bill in equity was filed in the United +States Circuit Court in Boston, to restrain, by decree and +order of the Court, the unlawful publishing and use of an +infringing pamphlet printed and issued by a student of [30] +Christian Science. + +Answer was filed by the defendant, alleging that the + +[Page 381.] + +copyrighted works of Mrs. Eddy were not original with [1] +her, but had been copied by her, or by her direction, +from manuscripts originally composed by Dr. P. P. +Quimby. + +Testimony was taken on the part of Mrs. Eddy, the [5] +defendant being present personally and by counsel. The +time for taking testimony on the part of the defendant +having nearly expired, he gave notice through his counsel +that he should not put in testimony. Later, Mrs. +Eddy requested her lawyer to inquire of defendant’s [10] +counsel why he did not present evidence to support his +claim that Dr. Quimby was the author of her writings! +Accordingly, her counsel asked the defendant’s counsel +this question, and he replied, in substance, “There is +no evidence to present.” [15] + +The stipulation for a judgment and a decree in favor +of Mrs. Eddy was drawn up and signed by counsel. +It was ordered that the complainant (Mrs. Eddy) +recover of the defendant her cost of suit, taxed at +($113.09) one hundred thirteen and 9/100 dollars. [20] + +A writ of injunction was issued under the seal of the +said Court, restraining the defendant from directly or +indirectly printing, publishing, selling, giving away, +distributing, or in any way or manner disposing of, +the enjoined pamphlet, on penalty of ten thousand [25] +dollars. + +The infringing books, to the number of thirty-eight +hundred or thereabouts, were put under the edge of +the knife, and their unlawful existence destroyed, in +Boston, Massachusetts. [30] + +It has been written that “nobody can be both founder +and discoverer of the same thing.” If this declaration + +[Page 382.] + +were either a truism or a rule, my experience would [1] +contradict it and prove an exception. + +No works on the subject of Christian Science existed, +prior to my discovery of this Science. Before the publi- +cation of my first work on this doctrine, a few manu- [5] +scripts of mine were in circulation. The discovery and +founding of Christian Science has cost more than thirty +years of unremitting toil and unrest; but, comparing those +with the joy of knowing that the sinner and the sick are +helped thereby, that time and eternity bear witness to [10] +this gift of God to the race, I am the debtor. + +In the latter half of the nineteenth century I discov- +ered the Science of Christianity, and restored the first +patient healed in this age by Christian Science. I taught +the first student in Christian Science Mind-healing; was [15] +author and publisher of the first books on this subject; +obtained the first charter for the first Christian Science +church, originated its form of government, and was its +first pastor. I donated to this church the land on which +in 1894 was erected the first church edifice of this denomination [20] +in Boston; obtained the first and only charter +for a metaphysical medical college,—was its first and +only president; was editor and proprietor of the first +Christian Science periodical; organized the first Christian +Scientist Association, wrote its constitution and by- [25] +laws,—as also the constitution and by-laws of the +National Christian Science Association; and gave it +_The Christian Science Journal_; inaugurated our denom- +inational form of Sunday services, Sunday School, and +so the entire system of teaching and practising Christian [30] +Science. + +In 1895 I ordained that the Bible, and “Science and + +[Page 383.] + +Health with Key to the Scriptures,” the Christian Science [1] +textbook, be the pastor, on this planet, of all the churches +of the Christian Science denomination. This ordinance +took effect the same year, and met with the universal ap- +proval and support of Christian Scientists. Whenever [5] +and wherever a church of Christian Science is established, +its pastor is the Bible and my book. + +In 1896 it goes without saying, preeminent over igno- +rance or envy, that Christian Science _is founded by its_ +_discoverer_, and built upon the rock of Christ. The el- [10] +ements of earth beat in vain against the immortal parapets +of this Science. Erect and eternal, it will go on with the +ages, go down the dim posterns of time unharmed, and +on every battle-field rise higher in the estimation of +thinkers and in the hearts of Christians. [15] + + + + + +CHAPTER XI. POEMS + + +[Page 384.] + + + + +Come Thou + + + Come, in the minstrel’s lay; [2] + When two hearts meet, + And true hearts greet, + And all is morn and May. [5] + + Come Thou! and now, anew, + To thought and deed + Give sober speed, + Thy will to know, and do. + + Stay! till the storms are o’er— [10] + The cold blasts done, + The reign of heaven begun, + And Love, the evermore. + + Be patient, waiting heart: + Light, Love divine [15] + Is here, and thine; + You therefore cannot part. + + “The seasons come and go: + Love, like the sea, + Rolls on with thee,— [20] + But knows no ebb and flow. + + +[Page 385.] + + + “Faith, hope, and tears, triune, [1] + Above the sod + Find peace in God, + And one eternal noon.” + + Oh, Thou hast heard my prayer; [5] + And I am blest! + This is Thy high behest: + Thou, here and _everywhere_. + + + + +Meeting Of My Departed Mother And Husband + + + “Joy for thee, happy friend! thy bark is past [10] + The dangerous sea, and safely moored at last— + Beyond rough foam. + Soft gales celestial, in sweet music bore— + Spirit emancipate for this far shore— + Thee to thy home. [15] + + “You’ve travelled long, and far from mortal joys, + To Soul’s diviner sense, that spurns such toys, + Brave wrestler, lone. + Now see thy ever-self; Life never fled; + Man is not mortal, never of the dead: [20] + The dark unknown. + + “When hope soared high, and joy was eagle-plumed, + Thy pinions drooped; the flesh was weak, and doomed + To pass away. + But faith triumphant round thy death-couch shed [25] + Majestic forms; and radiant glory sped + The dawning day. + + +[Page 386.] + + + “Intensely grand and glorious life’s sphere,— [1] + Beyond the shadow, infinite appear + Life, Love divine,— + Where mortal yearnings come not, sighs are stilled, + And home and peace and hearts are found and filled, [5] + Thine, ever thine. + + “Bearest thou no tidings from our loved on earth, + The toiler tireless for Truth’s new birth + All-unbeguiled? + Our joy is gathered from her parting sigh: [10] + This hour looks on her heart with pitying eye,— + What of my child?” + + “When, severed by death’s dream, I woke to Life, + She deemed I died, and could not know the strife + At first to fill [15] + That waking with a love that steady turns + To God; a hope that ever upward yearns, + Bowed to His will. + + “Years had passed o’er thy broken household band, + When angels beckoned me to this bright land, [20] + With thee to meet. + She that has wept o’er thee, kissed my cold brow, + Rears the sad marble to our memory now, + In lone retreat. + + “By the remembrance of her loyal life, [25] + And parting prayer, I only know my wife, + Thy child, shall come— + Where farewells cloud not o’er our ransomed rest— + Hither to reap, with all the crowned and blest, + Of bliss the sum. [30] + + +[Page 387.] + + + “When Love’s rapt sense the heart-strings gently sweep, [1] + With joy divinely fair, the high and deep, + To call her home, + She shall mount upward unto purer skies; + We shall be waiting, in what glad surprise, [5] + Our spirits’ own!” + + + + +Love + + + Brood o’er us with Thy shelt’ring wing, + ’Neath which our spirits blend + Like brother birds, that soar and sing, [10] + And on the same branch bend. + The arrow that doth wound the dove + Darts not from those who watch and love. + + If thou the bending reed wouldst break + By thought or word unkind, [15] + Pray that his spirit you partake, + Who loved and healed mankind: + Seek holy thoughts and heavenly strain, + That make men one in love remain. + + Learn, too, that wisdom’s rod is given [20] + For faith to kiss, and know; + That greetings glorious from high heaven, + Whence joys supernal flow, + Come from that Love, divinely near, + Which chastens pride and earth-born fear, [25] + + +[Page 388.] + + + Through God, who gave that word of might [1] + Which swelled creation’s lay: + “Let there be light, and there was light.” + What chased the clouds away? + ’Twas Love whose finger traced aloud [5] + A bow of promise on the cloud. + + Thou to whose power our hope we give, + Free us from human strife. + Fed by Thy love divine we live, [10] + For Love alone is Life; + And life most sweet, as heart to heart + Speaks kindly when we meet and part. + + + + +Woman’s Rights + + + Grave on her monumental pile: + She won from vice, by virtue’s smile, [15] + Her dazzling crown, her sceptred throne, + Affection’s wreath, a happy home; + + The right to worship deep and pure, + To bless the orphan, feed the poor; + Last at the cross to mourn her Lord, [20] + First at the tomb to hear his word: + + To fold an angel’s wings below; + And hover o’er the couch of woe; + To nurse the Bethlehem babe so sweet, + The right to sit at Jesus’ feet; [25] + + +[Page 389.] + + + To form the bud for bursting bloom, [1] + The hoary head with joy to crown; + In short, the right to work and pray, + “To point to heaven and lead the way.” + + + + +The Mother’s Evening Prayer + + + O gentle presence, peace and joy and power; + O Life divine, that owns each waiting hour, + Thou Love that guards the nestling’s faltering flight! + Keep Thou my child on upward wing to-night. + + Love is our refuge; only with mine eye [10] + Can I behold the snare, the pit, the fall: + His habitation high is here, and nigh, + His arm encircles me, and mine, and all. + + O make me glad for every scalding tear, + For hope deferred, ingratitude, disdain! [15] + Wait, and love more for every hate, and fear + No ill,—since God is good, and loss is gain. + + Beneath the shadow of His mighty wing; + In that sweet secret of the narrow way, + Seeking and finding, with the angels sing: [20] + “Lo, I am with you alway,”—watch and pray. + + No snare, no fowler, pestilence or pain; + No night drops down upon the troubled breast, + When heaven’s aftersmile earth’s tear-drops gain, + And mother finds her home and heavenly rest. [25] + + +[Page 390.] + + + + +June + + + Whence are thy wooings, gentle June? + Thou hast a Naiad’s charm; + Thy breezes scent the rose’s breath; + Old Time gives thee her palm. [5] + The lark’s shrill song doth wake the dawn; + The eve-bird’s forest flute + Gives back some maiden melody, + Too pure for aught so mute. + + The fairy-peopled world of flowers, [10] + Enraptured by thy spell, + Looks love unto the laughing hours, + Through woodland, grove, and dell; + And soft thy footstep falls upon + The verdant grass it weaves; [15] + To melting murmurs ye have stirred + The timid, trembling leaves. + + When sunshine beautifies the shower, + As smiles through teardrops seen, + Ask of its June, the long-hushed heart, [20] + What hath the record been? + And thou wilt find that harmonies, + In which the Soul hath part, + Ne’er perish young, like things of earth, + In records of the heart. [25] + + +[Page 391.] + + + + +Wish And Item + + +Written to the Editor of the _Item_, Lynn, Mass. + + + I hope the heart that’s hungry + For things above the floor, + Will find within its portals [5] + An item rich in store; + + That melancholy mortals + Will count their mercies o’er, + And learn that Truth and wisdom + Have many items more; [10] + + That when a wrong is done us, + It stirs no thought of strife; + And Love becomes the substance, + As item, of our life; + + That every ragged urchin, [15] + With bare feet soiled or sore, + Share God’s most tender mercies,— + Find items at our door. + + Then if we’ve done to others + Some good ne’er told before, [20] + When angels shall repeat it, + ’T will be an item more. + + +[Page 392.] + + + + +The Oak On The Mountain’s Summit + + + Oh, mountain monarch, at whose feet I stand,— + Clouds to adorn thy brow, skies clasp thy hand,— + Nature divine, in harmony profound, + With peaceful presence hath begirt thee round. [5] + + And thou, majestic oak, from yon high place + Guard’st thou the earth, asleep in night’s embrace,— + And from thy lofty summit, pouring down + Thy sheltering shade, her noonday glories crown? + + Whate’er thy mission, mountain sentinel, [10] + To my lone heart thou art a power and spell; + A lesson grave, of life, that teacheth me + To love the Hebrew figure of a tree. + + Faithful and patient be my life as thine; + As strong to wrestle with the storms of time; [15] + As deeply rooted in a soil of love; + As grandly rising to the heavens above. + + + + +Isle Of Wight + + +Written on receiving a painting of the Isle + + + Isle of beauty, thou art singing [20] + To my sense a sweet refrain; + To my busy mem’ry bringing + Scenes that I would see again. + + +[Page 393.] + + + Chief, the charm of thy reflecting, [1] + Is the moral that it brings; + Nature, with the mind connecting, + Gives the artist’s fancy wings. + + Soul, sublime ’mid human _débris_, [5] + Paints the limner’s work, I ween, + Art and Science, all unweary, + Lighting up this mortal dream. + + Work ill-done within the misty + Mine of human thoughts, we see [10] + Soon abandoned when the Master + Crowns life’s Cliff for such as we. + + Students wise, he maketh now thus + Those who fish in waters deep, + When the buried Master hails us [15] + From the shores afar, complete. + + Art hath bathed this isthmus-lordling + In a beauty strong and meek + As the rock, whose upward tending + Points the plane of power to seek. [20] + + Isle of beauty, thou art teaching + Lessons long and grand, to-night, + To my heart that would be bleaching + To thy whiteness, Cliff of Wight. + + +[Page 394.] + + + + +Hope + + + ’T is borne on the zephyr at eventide’s hour; + It falls on the heart like the dew on the flower,— + An infinite essence from tropic to pole, + The promise, the home, and the heaven of Soul. [5] + + Hope happifies life, at the altar or bower, + And loosens the fetters of pride and of power; + It comes through our tears, as the soft summer rain, + To beautify, bless, and make joyful again. + + The harp of the minstrel, the treasure of time; [10] + A rainbow of rapture, o’erarching, divine; + The God-given mandate that speaks from above,— + No place for earth’s idols, but hope thou, and love. + + + + +Rondelet + + + “The flowers of June + The gates of memory unbar: + The flowers of June + Such old-time harmonies _re_tune, + I fain would keep the gates ajar,— + So full of sweet enchantment are [20] + The flowers of June.” + JAMES T. WHITE + + +[Page 395.] + + + + +To Mr. James T. White + + + Who loves not June [2] + Is out of tune + With love and God; + The rose his rival reigns, [5] + The stars reject his pains, + His home the clod! + + And yet I trow, + When sweet _rondeau_ + Doth play a part, [10] + The curtain drops on June; + Veiled is the modest moon— + Hushed is the heart. + + + + +Autumn + + + Written in childhood, in a maple grove [15] + + Quickly earth’s jewels disappear; + The turf, whereon I tread, + Ere autumn blanch another year, + May rest above my head. + + Touched by the finger of decay [20] + Is every earthly love; + For joy, to shun my weary way, + Is registered above. + + The languid brooklets yield their sighs, + A requiem o’er the tomb [25] + Of sunny days and cloudless skies, + Enhancing autumn’s gloom. + + +[Page 396.] + + + The wild winds mutter, howl, and moan, [1] + To scare my woodland walk, + And frightened fancy flees, to roam + Where ghosts and goblins stalk. + + The cricket’s sharp, discordant scream [5] + Fills mortal sense with dread; + More sorrowful it scarce could seem; + It voices beauty fled. + + Yet here, upon this faded sod,— + O happy hours and fleet,— [10] + When songsters’ matin hymns to God + Are poured in strains so sweet, + + My heart unbidden joins rehearse; + I hope it’s better made, + When mingling with the universe, [15] + Beneath the maple’s shade. + + + + +Christ My Refuge + + + O’er waiting harpstrings of the mind + There sweeps a strain, + Low, sad, and sweet, whose measures bind [20] + The power of pain, + + And wake a white-winged angel throng + Of thoughts, illumed + By faith, and breathed in raptured song, + With love perfumed. [25] + + +[Page 397.] + + + Then His unveiled, sweet mercies show [1] + Life’s burdens light. + I kiss the cross, and wake to know + A world more bright. + + And o’er earth’s troubled, angry sea [5] + I see Christ walk, + And come to me, and tenderly, + Divinely talk. + + Thus Truth engrounds me on the rock, + Upon Life’s shore, [10] + ’Gainst which the winds and waves can shock, + Oh, nevermore! + + From tired joy and grief afar, + And nearer Thee,— + Father, where Thine own children are, [15] + I love to be. + + My prayer, some daily good to do + To Thine, for Thee; + An offering pure of Love, whereto + God leadeth me. [20] + + + + +“Feed My Sheep” + + + Shepherd, show me how to go + O’er the hillside steep, + How to gather, how to sow,— + How to feed Thy sheep; + + +[Page 398.] + + + I will listen for Thy voice, [1] + Lest my footsteps stray; + I will follow and rejoice + All the rugged way. + + Thou wilt bind the stubborn will, [5] + Wound the callous breast, + Make self-righteousness be still, + Break earth’s stupid rest. + Strangers on a barren shore, + Lab’ring long and lone, [10] + We would enter by the door, + And Thou know’st Thine own; + + So, when day grows dark and cold, + Tear or triumph harms, + Lead Thy lambkins to the fold, [15] + Take them in Thine arms; + Feed the hungry, heal the heart, + Till the morning’s beam; + White as wool, ere they depart, + Shepherd, wash them clean. + + + + +Communion Hymn + + + Saw ye my Saviour? Heard ye the glad sound? + Felt ye the power of the Word? + ’T was the Truth that made us free, + And was found by you and me [25] + In the life and the love of our Lord. + + +[Page 399.] + + + Mourner, it calls you,—“Come to my bosom, [1] + Love wipes your tears all away, + And will lift the shade of gloom, + And for you make radiant room + Midst the glories of one endless day.” [5] + + Sinner, it calls you,—“Come to this fountain, + Cleanse the foul senses within; + ’Tis the Spirit that makes pure, + That exalts thee, and will cure + All thy sorrow and sickness and sin.” [10] + + Strongest deliverer, friend of the friendless, + Life of all being divine: + Thou the Christ, and not the creed; + Thou the Truth in thought and deed; + Thou the water, the bread, and the wine. [15] + + + + +Laus Deo! + + + Written on laying the corner-stone of The Mother Church + + _Laus Deo_, it is done! + Rolled away from loving heart + Is a stone. [20] + Lifted higher, we depart, + Having one. + + _Laus Deo_,—on this rock + (Heaven chiselled squarely good) + Stands His church,— [25] + God is Love, and understood + By His flock. + + +[Page 400.] + + + _Laus Deo_, night star-lit [1] + Slumbers not in God’s embrace; + Be awake; + Like this stone, be in thy place: + Stand, not sit. [5] + + Grave, silent, steadfast stone, + Dirge and song and shoutings low + In thy heart + Dwell serene,—and sorrow? No, + It has none, [10] + _Laus Deo!_ + + + + +A Verse + + + MOTHER’S NEW YEAR GIFT TO THE LITTLE CHILDREN + + Father-Mother God, + Loving me,— [15] + Guard me when I sleep; + Guide my little feet + Up to Thee. + + TO THE BIG CHILDREN + + Father-Mother good, lovingly [20] + Thee I seek,— + Patient, meek, + In the way Thou hast,— + Be it slow or fast, + Up to Thee. [25] + + + + + +CHAPTER XII. TESTIMONIALS + + +Letters From Those Healed By Reading “Science And Health With Key To The +Scriptures” + +The Editor of _The Christian Science Journal_ (Falmouth and St. Paul +Streets, Boston, Mass.) holds the original of most of the letters that +authenticate these. + +It is something more than a year and a half since I was cured of a +complication of diseases through reading “Science and Health with Key to +the Scriptures.” + +Becoming at an early age disgusted with drugs, I learned hygiene, and +practised it faithfully for over twenty years; then I began to lose all +faith in its efficacy, became greatly discouraged, and, as I had never +been cured of a single ailment, I rapidly grew worse in health. Hearing of +this, a dear sister brought me Science and Health. Her admonition was, +“Now read it, E——; I have heard that just the reading of that book has +been known to heal the sick.” + +I had read to, and through, the chapter on Healing and Teaching,(8) and +was so deeply interested that I began reading that blessed chapter over +again,—when I found I was cured of my dyspepsia, that I could use my +strength in lifting without feeling the old distressing pain in my side, +and also that the pain in the kidneys only came on at night, waking me out +of sleep. Then I began my first conscious treatments: of course I followed +no formula, and I needed none. A cry for help, knowing it would be +answered; precious texts from the Bible, which had already become like a +new book to me; sweet assurance of faith by the witnessing Spirit; strong +logical conclusions, learned from Science and Health: what a wealth of +material! Before finishing the book, all tendency to my old aches and +pains had left me, and I have been a strong, healthy woman ever since. + +My first demonstration with another than myself was also before I had +finished my first reading. My husband was cured of the belief of bilious +fever by not over ten minutes’ treatment; the fever and pain in head and +limbs disappearing in that instantaneous way as soon as I could summon +sufficient courage to offer my services in this, to us, new but glorious +work. He slept soundly that night (the treatment was given about 10 A. +M.), and ate and worked as usual the next day, with no symptoms of a +relapse then or afterward. That was in March, 1888; in the following +August I met in one of our Rocky Mountain berry patches a lady who +complained so bitterly that I felt compelled to offer her treatment. Her +words, when I visited her at her home during Christmas week, will give +some idea of the result:— + +“Yes, I am doing three women’s work,—attending to my own and my son’s +housework, and caring for his wife and new-born babe; but I am equal to +it, when I think of all the Lord has done for me! Why, Mrs. S., I was +cured with that first treatment you gave me, I know; because I went out to +gather berries that day and was caught in a drenching shower,—and for ten +years before I could not bear the least exposure without suffering from +those dreadful headaches I told you about, and from dysentery,—but that +day I had neither. I had once been laid out for dead,—lying there +perfectly conscious, hearing my friends grieving over me,—but I did not +want to come to, I suffered so. No, I never have any of those ailments. I +am a well, hearty woman,—and that is not all. I had been seeking religion +for more than twenty years, but I never knew how Christians felt till I +told you I was cured that day on the camp-ground.” + +On the first of this year I was so blessed as to receive a course of +lessons from one of our teacher’s students. Now I am only trusting that +the time will come when I may be enabled to teach others the way of Truth, +as well as to add to the many demonstrations God has given me.—E. D. S. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +A student of Christian Science was employed in the Massachusetts State +Prison at Charlestown, to teach the prisoners to make shoes. He carried +his copy of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” and the +_Journal_ with him, and as he had the opportunity would tell the men what +this wonderful truth could do for them, setting them free in a larger and +higher sense than they had dreamed of. + +We make extracts from a number of letters that one of the prisoners has +written to those who are interesting themselves in this work. + +“_Editor of The Christian Science Journal_:—At the prison, once a week, +there are Christian papers given to the inmates. But none of those papers +point out so clearly the fallibility of the mortal or carnal mind, and the +infallibility of the divine Mind, as does the teaching of Christian +Science. + +“I was strangely blind and stupid. I loved sin, and it seemed as though I +never would be able to forsake it. I did everything that would be expected +of one entirely ignorant of God. + +“I also had a complication of diseases. I could not begin to describe the +medicines I have taken. + +“I no longer look for material treatment, but humbly seek for the divine +assistance of Jesus, through the way Christian Science has taught me. I +am, indeed, an altered man. I now have no more doubt of the way of +salvation than I have of the way to the prison workshop. + +“I am very grateful to the students of Christian Science, for the interest +they have taken in me and my fellow-prisoners. Their letters and books +have been of great profit, and in accordance with their wish I have done +what I could for the others. + +“I gave the _Journal_ to every man who would accept it, and related my +experience to those who would listen. I told them they need go no farther +than myself to see what the demonstration was; for not only have my eyes +been healed, but many other ailments have disappeared. + +“Some of the fellows told me I was becoming religiously insane, but acting +upon your advice, I did not stop to argue with those opposed; and I am +glad to be able to tell you that those who expressed interest were more +than those who opposed. + +“The chaplain told me I could keep Science and Health until I got through +with it. I never should get through with that book, but, as others were +waiting for it, I did not like to keep it too long. God bless the author! + +“I need have no fear after leaving here; I feel that I can make an honest +living. I can honestly add, that my bad reputation is largely due to my +lack of education. What little I do know, I learned here and in the House +of Correction. I tell you this, for I feel that I must be honest with the +kind friends who have done so much for me. + +“Providing I should not be paroled, I shall remain here until the 24th of +next December. God bless you all.—J. C.” + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I am glad to tell how I was healed. Beliefs of consumption, dyspepsia, +neuralgia, piles, tobacco, and bad language held me in bondage for many +years. Doctors that were consulted did nothing to relieve me, and I +constantly grew worse. Nearly two years ago a lady told me that if I would +read a book called “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” I would +be healed. I told her I would “go into it for all it is worth,” and I have +found that it is worth all. I got the book, and read day and night. I saw +that it must be true, and believed that what I could not then understand +would be made clear later. + +After some days’ reading I was affected with drowsiness, followed by +vomiting. This lasted several hours; when I fell into a sleep, and awoke +healed. The good I have received, and that I have been able to do in +healing others, has all come from Science and Health. I received some +instructions from teachers; but they did me more harm than good: I asked +for bread, but they gave me a stone. I held to what I could understand of +Science and Health; and the truth does not forsake me, but enables me to +heal others. + +Last February, I was called to treat a child that the M. D.’s said was +dying from lung fever; after the third treatment the child got up and ran +about, completely healed. Another child was brought to me, with rupture; +after the second treatment the truss was thrown away. An aged lady was +healed of heart disease and chills, in one treatment. These cases brought +me many more, that were also healed. + +The husband of a lady in the State Lunatic Asylum asked me to treat her; +she had been for two years and a half in the asylum, and though taken home +in this time once or twice, she had had to be taken back. After two weeks +of absent treatment, the husband visited her, and the doctor reported +great improvement during the preceding two weeks. At the end of another +two weeks I went with the husband to the asylum, and the doctor told us +that she was well enough to go home. The husband asked the doctor how it +was that she had improved so rapidly, and he said that he could not +account for it. We said nothing about the Christian Science treatment, and +took the lady home. This was about a year ago, and she has remained +perfectly well. + +Many cases as striking as this can be referred to in this town, as +evidence that Truth is the healer of sickness as well as of sin.—J. B. H. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +No. 1. A lady friend, who was found to have a severe attack of dysentery, +was assured that such attacks could be cured without medicine, and advised +to take no more. She was more than astonished at the result; for in less +than an hour all pain and other symptoms of the trouble ceased, and she +felt perfectly well the next day. + +No. 2. While she was visiting relatives in the country, an infant of +theirs was attacked severely with croup, and appeared to be on the verge +of suffocation, giving its parents much alarm. The infant was taken in the +arms of the lady, in thirty minutes was completely relieved, went to +sleep, and awoke in good health the next morning. + +No. 3. The mother of this child was subsequently attacked with a +scrofulous swelling on the neck, just under the ear, which was very +painful and disfiguring; the side of the face, also, being badly swollen. +It was feared that this would develop into and undergo the usual +phenomenon of abscess, as other similar swellings had done previously. She +had great faith in the metaphysical treatment, because of the experience +which she had had with her baby, and wrote a letter describing her case. +This was immediately answered, and absent treatment was begun. In +twenty-four hours after receipt of the letter, to the astonishment of +herself and family, the tumor had entirely disappeared: there was not a +trace of it left; although the day before it was fully as large as a hen’s +egg; red, and tender to the touch. + +These instances are only a few of the many cures which have been performed +in this way, and they are mentioned simply to show what good work may be +done by any earnest, conscientious person who has gained by reading my +works the proper understanding of the Principle of Christian Science. + +What a wonderful field for enlightenment and profit lies open to those who +seek after Truth. Alas, that the feet of so few enter it! + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +_Rev. M. B. G. Eddy_:—Will you kindly spare me a few moments for the +perusal of these lines from a stranger,— one who feels under a debt of +gratitude to you,—for, through the divine Science brought to light by you, +I have been “made whole.” I have been cured of a malignant cancer since I +began to study Christian Science, and have _demonstrated the truth_ of it +in a number of cases. I have only studied your good books, having been +_unable_ to take the lectures for want of means. I dare not think of +these, for there is no prospect that I shall be in a position to take the +course at all. I do not allow myself to complain, but cheerfully take up +my books and study, and feel thankful for this light. + +M. E. W., Cañon City, Col. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +_Dear Madam_:—May I thank you for your book, “Science and Health with Key +to the Scriptures,” and say how much I owe to it—almost my very life—at a +most critical time.... + +If it were not for the heat of your American summers (I had nine attacks +of dysentery in the last one), and the expense, I should dearly like to +learn from you personally; but I must forego this,—at any rate, for the +present. If you would write me what the cost would be for a course on +divine metaphysics, I would try to manage it later on. + +Meanwhile, I should be grateful if you would refer me to any one in this +country who is interested similarly, for I get more kicks than halfpence +in discussing it. + +Your obliged friend, + +(REV.) I. G. W. BISHOP, +Bovington Vicarage, Hemel Hempstead, +Herts, England + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Extract from a letter to Rev. M. B. G. Eddy + +A gentleman here had hired all the most skilled doctors in the United +States—nothing helped him. He was a ghost to look upon. I told him just to +read my copies of your books. I talked to him, told him what he could do +for himself if he but tried. He laughed at me. I was willing he should +laugh, for it was very unusual for him to do this. He had your books two +months, and last Sunday he returned them. I wish you could see him: _he is +well_. He is happy, and told me he was going to write to you for the books +for himself this week.—E. E. B. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +_Dear Madam_:—I have been a sickly person all my life, until a few months +ago, and was confined to my bed every little while. It was during one of +many attacks that your book, “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures,” was handed me. I read it only a very short time, when I +arose, well, went out into the kitchen, prepared a large dinner, and ate +heartily of it. + +I have been up and well ever since,—a marvel to my friends and family, and +sometimes they can hardly believe it is I; and feeling so grateful, I must +tell you of it. I wish everybody in the world would read your book, for +all would be benefited by it. + +Gratefully yours, ANNA M. SMITH + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +_Dear Madam_:—About seven years ago I was compelled to go to an oculist +and have an operation performed upon my eyes. He fitted me with glasses, +which I wore for a considerable time, and then removed; but the pain and +difficulty returned, and I was obliged to go again to the oculist, who +advised me never to take my glasses off again. + +I continued wearing them for fully five years longer, until some time in +last January, when, upon reading your book, “Science and Health with Key +to the Scriptures,” I again took them off. Since that time, though I have +been in the courts reporting, and reading fine notes frequently, I have +experienced no difficulty with my eyes. + +Very respectfully, +William A. Smith, Wilmington, Del. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +_Dear Mrs. Eddy_:—We have been studying “Science and Health with Key to +the Scriptures” for a year, and I cannot tell you how much it has done for +us; giving us health instead of sickness, and giving us such an +understanding of God as we never had before. Christian Science was our +only help two weeks ago, when our baby was born. My husband and myself +were alone. I dressed myself the next day; commenced doing my work the +third day, and am well and strong. It must be pleasing to you to know how +much good your work is doing. + +KITTIE BECK, Elmwood, Cass Co., Neb. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I was a helpless sufferer in August, 1883, and had been so for many years. +The physicians said I had cancer of the uterus. I heard of your book, +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” bought a copy, began +reading it, and a great light seemed to break through the darkness. I +cried aloud in joy, “This is what I have been hungering for, these many +years!” I studied it closely, and healed myself and several of my friends +before I had taken instruction of any teacher. + +MRS. S. A. MCMAHON, Wyandotte, Kans. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I was healed thoroughly of the belief of chronic hepatitis and kidney +disease, by reading “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” I +have never, to this day, had the slightest return of it. + +J. P. FILBERT, Council Bluffs, Iowa + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +You, dear Mrs. Eddy, have saved my life, through Science and Health; and I +feel that the patients healed through me should give the first thanks to +God and to you.—MRS. D. S. HARRIMAN, Kansas City, Mo. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +How grand your book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” is! +It is a translation of Truth. No amount of money could buy the book of me, +if I could not get another. No matter what suffering comes, physical or +mental, I have only to take Science and Health, and almost invariably the +first sentence brings relief. It seems to steady the thought. I do not +think any student old enough to neglect reading it. When we think we are +advanced far enough to let that book alone, then are we in danger. + +MRS. ELLEN P. CLARK, Dorchester, Mass. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Many thanks for the good received from your books. When I commenced +reading them, I was carrying about a very sick body. Your books have +healed me. I am now in perfect health. People look at me with surprise, +and say they do not understand it; but when they see the sick ones made +well, they are not always willing to believe it. + +MRS. JOSEPH TILLSON, South Hanson, Mass. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +_Rev. M. B. G. Eddy:_—I add one more testimony of a cure from reading your +book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” Five years ago I +lay prostrate with piles and inflammation of the bowels. All the coating +came off, apparently. A stricture was formed, beyond medical reach. I then +lived in Chicago; one of the best physicians, who made a specialty of +treating piles, attended me. The pain was relieved, but my bowels were +inactive, and remained so until New Year’s eve. + +I determined to trust all to God, or die before I would take any more +medicine, as I never had an action unless I took a free dose of some +laxative. If I forgot to take the medicine one night, or allowed myself to +be without it, I had a terrible sick headache for two or three days, and +terrible backache. I never had backache at any other time, and the piles +would be so much inflamed, in two days’ time, that I could hardly tell +where I suffered the worst. + +Since I have learned to trust all to God, I have not had the least trouble +with the piles, nor one twinge of the backache. I have an easy action of +the bowels each morning. It was five days after I resolved to leave +medicine alone, before a natural movement took place; and ever since I +have been perfectly regular. It was a great effort for me to take that +step, for I knew I was running the risk of throwing myself back into all +misery, and perhaps into a worse state than before. By reading Science and +Health, I learned that God was able to save the body as well as the soul, +and I believed His promises were for me. + +MATTIE E. MAYFIELD, Des Moines, Iowa + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +For the Cause of Truth, I submit the following testimonial for +publication; may it bring _one_ more, at least, into the fold of divine +Science! The truth, as it is stated in “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures,” has done much towards making our home the abiding-place of +peace and harmony. I now write of the wonderful demonstration of Truth +over the birth of my baby boy, two weeks ago. Sunday, September 23, we +went for a long drive of three hours; at night I retired at the usual +hour; toward morning I was given a little warning; when I awoke at seven +o’clock, the birth took place. Not more than ten minutes after, I ate a +hearty breakfast, and then had a refreshing sleep; at ten o’clock walked +across the room while my bed was dressed; at twelve took a substantial +dinner; most of the afternoon sat up in bed, without any support but +Truth; at six in the evening dressed myself and walked to the dining-room, +and remained up for two hours. Next morning I arose at the usual hour, and +have kept it up ever since,—was not confined to my bed one whole day. The +second day was out walking in the yard, and the third day went for a drive +in the morning and received callers in the afternoon. If it had not been +for the presence of my young hopeful, it would have been hard to believe +that there had so recently been a belief of a birth in the house; but +then, I was sustained by Love, and had no belief of suffering to take my +strength away. Before baby was two weeks old, I cooked, swept, ran the +sewing machine, etc., assisting with the housework generally. How grateful +I am for the obstetrics of this grand Science! Mothers need no longer +listen to the whispering lies of the old serpent, for the law of mortal +mind is broken by Truth. + +MRS. DORA HOSSICK, Carrolton, Mo. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +My wife and I have been healed by reading your book, “Science and Health +with Key to the Scriptures.” We both feel very grateful to you. + +Five months ago my wife gave birth to a child, without pain or +inconvenience, has done all the housework since, and has been every minute +perfectly well. Neither she nor the child have been ill,—as was constantly +the case with former children,—so we have thought it right to name the +child Glover Eddy. + +We have been reading Science and Health nearly two years, and have sold +several copies to others. We are reading the _Journal_ also this year. + +Yours respectfully, JOHN B. HOUSEL, Lincoln, Neb. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +_Dear Mother:_—The most blessed of women! Oh, how I long to sit within +range of your voice and hear the truth that comes to you from on high! for +none could speak such wondrous thoughts as have come from your pen, except +it be the Spirit that speaketh in you. + +Two years ago last October, while laboring under a great strain of care +and anxiety in regard to financial affairs, I heard of Christian Science. +I borrowed “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and began to +read. I bless God that I was driven to it by such an extremity. After +reading some one hundred and fifty pages, I was convinced that it was the +truth for which I had searched during twenty years. While I was reading +the chapter on Imposition and Demonstration,(9) I was healed of +endometritis and prolapsus uteri of over twenty years’ standing, +pronounced incurable by eminent physicians. Professor Ludlam, the dean of +Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, Ill., was one of my doctors. + +Before I was healed, to walk seven or eight blocks would so fatigue me +that it would take me a week to recover. I now started out and walked, and +was on my feet all day and for several succeeding days, but felt no +weariness from my labors. + +I felt, after being healed, I must have a Science and Health of my own. I +had no money to buy it, so earned it by getting subscribers for the +_Journal_. It has gone with me everywhere I have been. I have been well +ever since. + +I had suffered from bodily ailments, but they were nothing compared to my +mental trials. Grief, hatred, jealousy, and revenge had well-nigh bereft +me of reason. I had lost a home of plenty, been reduced to almost abject +poverty, and had become a cheerless woman,—could not smile without feeling +I had sinned. + +All my griefs and sorrows are now turned to joy, and my hatred is changed +to love. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will +toward men.” I read Science and Health, and all your other books, together +with the New Testament, every minute I can get.—E. B. C., Omaha, Neb. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I must add one more to your great pile of letters, to tell you what your +book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” has done for me and +my family. More than a year ago, my husband was suffering from an injury +received about a year previous, and he went to Mrs. B. for treatment. His +shoulder had been fractured, his collarbone broken, and he had sustained +internal injuries. Several M. D.’s had attended him, but had given him +very little relief. Mrs. B. treated him a short time, and he received much +benefit. He bought Science and Health. From reading it, I was cured of a +belief of chronic liver complaint. I suffered so much from headaches and +constipation, and other beliefs, that I seldom ever saw a well day; but, +thanks to you and divine Principle, I now seldom ever have a belief of +feeling badly. + +November 4th, last, I was confined. I was alone, because I knew no one +whose thought was in harmony with Science. I thought I could get along +without help, and I did. My little girl was sleeping in the same room with +me, and after the birth she called a woman who was asleep upstairs, to +take care of the baby. This woman was much frightened; but, on seeing how +composed I was, she got over her fright. I was sitting up in bed, holding +the child, and feeling as well as I ever did in my life. I never had seen +a Scientist nor been treated, but got all my ideas from Science and +Health. My baby was born on Sunday morning, and I got up Monday at noon, +and stayed up. I never got along so well with a baby as I did with this +one. + +I am very thankful for the knowledge of Science I have gained through your +book. I want so much to be a Scientist; but we are very poor. My husband +is a brakeman on the railroad; and I have very little education. There is +comfort in the thought that, if I can’t be a Scientist, my children may +be. + +Yours with much love, C. A. W., Lexington, Mo. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +In the February _Journal_ it appears there is some one who says that +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” is hard to understand, and +who thinks she can explain it. Perhaps my experience with Science and +Health may help some one who might otherwise take up this thought, and so +be led away from the truth. After reading and studying it for some time, +and talking to the Scientists I met in my travels, the thought came to me, +“Why not try these truths on yourself?” I did so, and to my surprise and +great joy I found immediate relief. Dyspepsia (the trouble of most +commercial travellers), catarrh, and many lesser beliefs, left me, so that +in a short time I was a _well man_, and by no other means than trusting to +the Saviour’s promises as explained in Science and Health. This took place +while I was travelling about the country. + +On my return home, I gave my wife treatments. In many instances the +blessing came before the treatment was finished, and often we proved that +only a thought of the power of Truth was sufficient to give relief. + +One Sunday morning, soon after my return, a friend called and asked if I +could give him anything to relieve his wife, who, he said, had been +suffering for some days with rheumatism in her shoulder, so severely that +she could neither dress alone nor comb her hair. I told him that the only +medicine we had in the house was Christian Science. He laughed at the +idea; but before he left, he asked if I would give his wife a treatment. I +told him I was very young in Science, but if she wished it, I would. He +went home, but returned immediately, saying she wished me to come. Then I +asked help from the fountain of Truth, and started for my first treatment +to be given away from home. When I left their room fifteen minutes later, +she was shaking her hand high above her head, and exclaiming, “I am all +right; I am well!” That was in November, 1887, and she has had no return +of the belief since. + +A friend told me that his son, twelve years old, had catarrh so badly that +his breath was very offensive, his throat troubled him all the time, and +that he had been deaf since he had the measles. In less than three weeks +both beliefs vanished. This was a case of absent treatment. I could give +you other cases, but I think I have said enough to prove that Science and +Health _is not hard to understand_, for my work has all been done without +my ever attending class. + +H. H. B., New York City + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +A lady, with no other instructor than “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures,” has demonstrated beyond many who have taken numerous lessons. +Persuaded, through her reading, of the allness of God,—and the perfectness +of idea,—she would know nothing else. A daughter, so badly affected by +poison oak (ivy) that for weeks death was feared from blood-poisoning, had +recovered with a terrible dread of that plant. As the next season’s picnic +time drew near, she was regretting that she dared not go again. The +mother, with her new-born faith in the Science of being, said, “Certainly +you can go, for nothing can harm you.” Assured by these words, the +daughter went, and in her rambles fell into a mass of the dreaded plant; +but trusting to the word of Truth, she thought nothing of it till one who +knew of her previous trouble said, in her mother’s presence, “See, her +face is showing red already.” But the mother was prompt in denial and +assurance. Next morning, old symptoms were out in force, but they yielded +at once and finally to the positive and uncompromising hold on Truth. +Another daughter, that was thought too delicate to raise, from bronchial +and nervous troubles, always dosed with medicine and wrapped in flannels, +now runs free and well without either of these, winter and summer. The +mother was recently attacked by mesmerism from the church that believed +she was influencing her daughter to leave. She overcame by the same +unwavering trust in God, seeing Truth clearer than ever before. Her +demonstrations come through no form of treatment, but by letting the +Spirit bear witness,—by the positive recognition and realization of no +reality but ever-present good. + +The other night her husband was attacked with an old belief, similar to +one that some time before had ended in a congestive chill which the doctor +thought very serious, and from which he had been a long time in +recovering. The wife simply recognized no reality in the belief, and, +seeing only perfect being, felt no fear. She did nothing,—no “treating” in +the usual sense. There is nothing to do but to understand that all is +harmony, always. He felt the presence that destroys the sense of evil, and +next morning—there was nothing left to recover from. + +A lady, while doing some starching, thoughtlessly put her hand into the +scalding starch to wring out a collar. Recalled to mortal sense by the +stinging pain, she immediately realized the all-power of God. At once the +pain began to subside; and as she brushed off the scalding starch, she +could see the blister-swelling go down till there was but a little redness +to show for the accident; absorbed in her thankfulness, she mechanically +wrung out the collar with the same hand, and with no sense of pain, thus +verifying the demonstration. This woman (not reading English) only knows +Science as she has received it from her practitioner during the treatments +received within the last month. So much has come to her from Spirit +through her loyalty to Christ, in so far as she could understand. + +A case of ulcerated tooth and neuralgic belief would only partially yield +after repeated treatments, till it was discovered that the patient was +antagonizing Truth by holding the thought that her old remedy, laudanum, +would give relief; treated from this standpoint, relief was immediate and +final. + +One morning after Rev. —— had been preaching to thousands for several +days, he told them that he had never felt such a sense of depression nor +had so little showing of results. Some Scientists hearing this, at once +saw his trouble. He had been fearlessly exposing and denouncing evil; and +it had turned on him, till the mesmerism was likely to overcome him +entirely, for he did not understand the seeming power. The effect of the +silent word to uplift and sustain, was very manifest that evening in his +preaching, and was a beautiful demonstration of Science. He probably only +felt Spirit-inspiration as he had not before, without a thought as to what +had broken the evil spell; but we never know the what, or when, or where, +of the harvest we can sow—“God giveth the increase.”—E. H. B., Sacramento + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I had two German patients who were anxious to have you publish “Science +and Health with Key to the Scriptures” in their language. I advised them +to buy it and try to read it. They commenced reading, and now can read all +of Science and Health, but do not read well any other book or paper, and +they do not need to. With great love.—M. H. P. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I sold three copies of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” to +friends, not long ago. One of them, fifty years of age, said to me, “I +never had one day’s sickness in my life; but after reading Science and +Health I found that I was bruised and mangled, from the crown of my head +to the soles of my feet. I have been reaching after something that, before +reading Science and Health, seemed to me unattainable;” and with tears in +her eyes, she rejoiced in the God of her salvation. Did not Jesus say, “If +these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out”? + +P. L., Lexington, Ky. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +For eight years I suffered terribly with my eyes; I could not read fifteen +minutes without the most agonizing sick headache. Oculists called it a +case of double vision, and said that the only chance for a cure lay in +cutting the muscles of the eyes. This was done, but the pain was worse +than before. One of the most famous oculists of New York said I would +simply have to endure it for life, as it was a case of severe astigmatism. + +I suffered so that my health gave way. A friend spoke to me of Christian +Science, but I scoffed at the idea. Later on, in desperation, I asked her +to lend me “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” thinking I +might be able to read five minutes a day in it. I opened the book at the +chapter on Physiology, and began. Time passed unnoticed: every page seemed +illuminated. I said, “This is everything or nothing; if everything, then +you need no glasses.” I took off the heavy ground glasses, and went on. +What a terrible headache I had the next morning! but I fought it with the +truth laid down in the book. I said again, “This is everything or +nothing,” and the truth triumphed. The headache ceased, but I felt +miserably. I recalled what was said about chemicalization, and persevered. + +In four days my eyes were well; I read as many hours a day as I pleased; +my strength returned. I conquered one belief after another, until now, +strong and well, I meet every belief with confidence. “I will fear _no_ +evil: for _Thou_ art with me.” For two years I have realized the peace and +confidence which the knowledge that God is all-powerful and always present +alone can give. Feeling a great desire to spread Christian Science, that +it may do the good to others that it has to me, not only physically but +spiritually, I ask if you have any missionaries in the work. Being a +member of the Episcopal Church, I have always sent what I could to help +foreign missions through that church. Will it do the most good to continue +so doing, as our foreign missionaries are devoted men, or have you +Christian Science missionaries who devote their lives to the work? + +An answer addressed to me, or published in the _Journal_, would help one +who is seeking to do right. + +Yours sincerely, K. L. T. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I do wish to add my testimony of being healed by reading “Science and +Health with Key to the Scriptures.” I had been an invalid for over twenty +years, and had given up all hope of ever being well again. I had read the +book about six weeks, when it seemed I was made all over new, and I could +“run, and not be weary; and ... walk, and not faint.” I did not understand +it, but it was the savior from death unto life with me; I have remained +well ever since I was healed,—more than five years ago. I commenced to +treat others as soon as I was born anew into the kingdom of Truth. My +patients were healed right along, before I had taken lessons in a class, +and they have remained well to this day. + +Christian Science has made me as young as a girl of sixteen. If this +should meet the eye of any sufferers who may be led to go and do as I did, +they will be healed.—N. A. E. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Language is inadequate when bearing grateful testimony to the book +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” By its simple reading, I +was healed of ills which baffled the skill of specialists and all +curatives that love and money could command. After eighteen years of +invalidism, and eight years of scepticism, without hope, with no +God,—except a First Cause,—I was given up to die. + +A loving friend told me of this book, which was soon brought; and +thirty-five pages of the first chapter were read to me that evening. The +next morning I got up, walked, and read the book for myself. + +I mention the chapter, for the reason that nearly two years have passed +since those wonderful words of Life were first read to me, and _still_ +their sacred sweetness is ever the same. Now I exclaim, _God is_ All! + +MRS. MARY A. R. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +It is impossible for me to keep still any longer. In 1885, when I had not +known a well day in five years, “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures” was placed in my hands by a dear lady who insisted upon my +reading it, saying she believed it would heal me. Like many, I was afraid +of it,—until I learned what it really was. The friend’s words were +verified. I _was_ healed by the reading of the book, and for one year +continued to read nothing whatever but the Bible and Science and Health. +They were my constant study. Through the understanding gained, that _God_ +is _All_, I came to demonstrate with great success, and with but one +thought,—for I knew nothing about giving a “treatment;” I wish I knew as +little now, for I believe that healing in Christian Science is to be done +in a moment. I became anxious to learn more, to study with the teacher, +but funds would not allow,—and I thought to substitute a course in +Chicago, perhaps. Every time I would speak of it, however, my dear mother +would say, “You have Science and Health and the Bible, and God for your +teacher—what more do you need? If I could not go to the teacher, I would +not go to any one.” + +If I had only heeded the blessed counsel of Truth! + +I went to Chicago, however, so full of confidence in Christian Science +that I supposed every one who had studied with Mrs. Eddy must be right. +Unfortunately, I took my course with a spiritualist who had been through +two of her classes; discovered my mistake, and went to a mind-cure,—only +to find the mistake repeated. Being an earnest seeker for Truth, I tried +again to go to the Massachusetts Metaphysical College; but it was +uncertain when there would be a class, so I took a course with one of Mrs. +Eddy’s students in Boston. The darkness now rolled away. Science and +Health once more revealed the light to me as of old. + +All this time, the mind-curers had me in view, and were sending me +reading-matter; but, _praise the Lord!_ Truth is victorious. + +My dear brothers and sisters, let us be safely guided by the counsels of +our Mother, in Science and Health! I, for one, am astounded that I was so +led astray; but I did it all through ignorance,—and the _sincere_ desire +to know the truth and to _do_ it, saved me. + +Your sister in truth, R. D. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I have been reading Science and Health for one year and a half, and have +had some wonderful demonstrations. People here are antagonistic to the +Science, and tell me that I am a “fit subject for the asylum.” Physicians +threaten me with arrest, also, but I walk straight on, knowing _well in +whom I trust_. + +E. I. R., Wauseon, Ohio + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +A little over two years ago, while living in Pittsburgh, my wife and I had +Christian Science brought to our attention. We were at once interested, +and bought a copy of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” + +At the time, Mrs. A—— was suffering with severe belief of astigmatism of +the eyes. She had been treated by a number of specialists, during seven +years, the last being the late Dr. Agnew of New York, who prescribed two +sets of glasses. He said that he could do nothing more for her, as the +trouble was organic; that she must wear glasses constantly; that if she +attempted to go without, she would become either blind or insane. The +glasses were in operation, and still life had become a burden from +constant pain, when Christian Science came to our relief. Mrs. A—— had not +in years read for two consecutive minutes, and could not use her eyes in +sewing at all. The lady that told us of the Science, insisted that she +_could_ read Science and Health, which she actually did,—reading it +through twice, and studying it carefully each time. After the second +reading, there came the thought that she did not need the glasses, and she +at once abandoned them, and went about her usual duties. In about two +weeks from that day the eyes were perfectly healed, and are well and +strong to-day. + +E. G. A., New York City + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +_My Dear Teacher:_—Yours without date is at hand. Could you know out of +what depths of material _débris_ the first reading of the first volume of +Science and Health, six years ago last December, lifted me, you would +believe it had always been “all I could ask.” It was _only_ words from the +pen of _uninspired_ writers that gave me pain. As the revelation of the +All-good appeared to me, all other books, all forms of religion, all +methods of healing, to my sense became void. Chronic beliefs of disease of +twenty years’ standing, dimness of sight from the belief of age, all +disappeared _instantly_; indeed, material life seemed a blank. The _why?_ +I could not explain, but this I did know, in this realm of the real I +found joy, peace, rest, love to all, unbounded, unspeakable. Human +language had lost its power of expression, for no words came to me; and in +all this six years of bliss I still have found no words to tell my +new-found life in God. The most chronic forms of disease have sometimes +been healed instantly and without argument. With great love and +gratitude.—M. H. P. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I take great comfort in reading “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures,” and will cling firmly to the light I have, knowing that more +will be given me. While in Salt Lake City, I met at the hotel a lady who +had been an invalid all her life. I talked with her about Christian +Science, and loaned her Science and Health, together with the _Journals_ I +had with me. She had become very much discouraged, having lost all faith +in doctors and medicine, and did not know where to turn next. She became +very much absorbed in the book, feeling she had found salvation. She at +once laid aside the glasses she was wearing, and now reads readily without +them. She and her husband have accepted this truth beautifully.—Mrs. G. A. +G., Ogden, Utah + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +On a trip through Mexico I met a woman who told me that, although she did +not believe in Christian Science, on her way from Wisconsin, her home, she +had bought a copy of Science and Health. When she reached M——, she met a +minister from the North, whom the M. D.’s had sent there because of +consumption,—they had given him two months to live. She gave him Science +and Health, and while doing so, felt it was all absurd. The minister read +it, and was healed _immediately_. Was not this a beautiful demonstration +of the power of Truth, and good evidence that Science and Health is the +word of God? + +I had while in Mexico a glorious conquest over the fear of smallpox. There +were hundreds of cases in some small towns where we were. After the fear +was cast out, never a thought of it as real came to me or my husband, or +troubled us in any way. On the street I met three men who were being taken +to the pest-house with that loathsome disease.—F. W. C. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +A lady to whom I sold “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” +writes me: “My longing to know God has been answered in this book; and +with the answer has come the healing.” She is an intimate friend of Will +Carleton, the poet. This is doing much good in the social circles. He has +for a long time been interested, but his wife has declared it could not +heal, and was not Christian. She will now be obliged to acknowledge this +healing, for the lady above referred to has been, to sense, a great +sufferer.—P. J. L. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Some of the experiences given in the _Journal_ have been so helpful to me, +I have been moved to give to its readers a little experience of my own, +which occurred when I first began the study of “Science and Health with +Key to the Scriptures.” + +I had already been healed of sick headache, almost instantly, by declaring +that I was God’s child, and, as God is perfect, His child must be perfect +also. This had given me great happiness, and a quiet, peaceful state of +mind I never had known before. My family did not seem to see anything good +in Christian Science, but to me it was sacred. + +One Monday morning, I awoke feeling very ill indeed. The morning was warm +and sultry. I thought I certainly could not wash that day; but when I went +downstairs, I found my daughter had made preparations for such work. I +thought, “Well, if she feels like washing, I will not say anything; +perhaps I shall get over this.” After breakfast I went about my work, +thinking I could lean against the tub and wash with more ease than I could +do up the morning work. I tried to treat myself as I had done +before,—tried to realize that “all is Mind, there is no matter;” that “God +is All, there is nothing beside Him,” but all to no purpose. I seemed to +grow worse all the time. I did not want my family to know how badly I was +feeling, and it was very humiliating to think that I must give up and go +to bed. + +All at once these questions came to me, as though spoken by some one, +taking me away from my line of thought entirely: How is God an +ever-present help? How does He know our earnest desires? Then, without +waiting for me to think how, the answer came in the same way, God is +conscious Mind. Instantly the thoughts came: Is God conscious of me? Can I +be conscious of Him? I was healed instantly: every bad feeling was +destroyed. I could see that the morning had not changed a particle, but I +was oblivious of the weather. It did not seem that I had anything more to +do with that washing. It was finished in good season, while I was “absent +from the body, and present with the Lord.” + +That was the beginning of the battle with sin and self, but at the same +time it was the dawning of the resurrection. Since then (over four years) +I have had many experiences, some of which seem too sacred to give to the +world. False literature has caused me much suffering; sorrow has visited +my home; but, through all this, the light that came to me on that Monday +morning—that new and precious sense of omnipresent Life, Truth, and +Love—has never left me one moment. It was the light that cannot be hid. + +MRS. H. B. J., Cambridge, Ill. + +Healing + +Four years ago I learned for the first time that there was a way to be +healed through Christ. I had always been sick, but found no relief in +drugs; still, I thought that if the Bible was true, God could heal me. So, +when my attention was called to Christian Science, I at once bought +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” studied it, and began to +improve in health. I seemed to see God so near and so dear,—so different +from the God I had been taught to fear. I studied alone night and day, +until I found I was healed, both physically and mentally. + +Then came a desire to tell every one of this wonderful truth. I expected +all to feel just as pleased as I did; but to my sorrow none would believe. +Some, it is true, took treatment and were helped, but went on in the old +way, without a word of thanks. But still I could not give up. I seemed to +know that this was the way, and I had rather live it alone than to follow +the crowd the other way. But as time passed, I had some good +demonstrations of this Love that is our Life. + +I am the only Scientist in Le Roy, as yet, but the good seed has been +sown, and where the people once scoffed at this “silly new idea,” they are +becoming interested, and many have been healed, and some are asking about +it. One dear old lady and I study the Bible Lessons every Tuesday +afternoon. She came to call, and as we talked, she told me of her sickness +of years’ standing; and was healed during our talk, so that she has never +felt a touch of the old trouble since. + +One lady, whom I had never seen, was healed of consumption in six weeks’ +treatment. She had not left her bed in four months, and had been given up +by many physicians. + +MRS. FLORENCE WILLIAMS, Le Roy, Mich. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I like the _Journal_ and _Quarterly_, and have many of Rev. Mary B. G. +Eddy’s works, which make my little world. I have a great desire to learn +more of this Love that casts out all fear, and to work in this Science. It +is the greatest pleasure I have, to talk this truth, as far as I +understand it, to any who will listen; and am waiting for others to learn +of this blessed Science. + +I give my experience in reading “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures” aloud to a little child. A letter published in the _Journal_, +written by a lady who had relieved a two-year-old child by reading to her, +first suggested this course to me. At the time, my little one was a trifle +over a year old. I was trying to overcome for him a claim which, though +not one of serious illness, was no small trial to me, because of its +frequent occurrence and its seeming ability to baffle my efforts. One day +as I sat near and treated him, it occurred to me to read aloud. I took up +one of the older editions of Science and Health lying near, began at the +words, “Brains can give no idea of God’s man,” and read on for two or +three paragraphs, endeavoring—as the writer suggested—to understand it +myself; yet thinking, perchance, the purer thought of the babe might grasp +the underlying meaning sooner than I. So it proved. Before the disturbance +felt by me had been calmed, the weary expression on the face of the child +was replaced by one of evident relief. + +When putting him to sleep, I had often repeated the spiritual +interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer. One night he was very restless, +fretful, and cried a great deal, while I seemed unable to soothe him. At +last I perceived that he was asking for something, and it dawned upon me +that the Prayer might be his desire. I began repeating it aloud, +endeavoring to _mean_ it also. He turned over quietly, and in a few +minutes was sweetly sleeping. + +The last time my attention was specially called to this subject, was about +a year after the first experience. Various hindrances had been allowed to +keep me from Science and Health all day; and it was toward evening when I +recognized that material sense had been given predominance, and must be +put down. I soon felt drawn to read the book. The little boy had seemed +restless and somewhat disturbed all day; but without thinking specially of +him, rather to assist in holding my own thought, I began to read aloud, +“Consciousness constructs a better body, when it has conquered our fear of +matter.” In a minute or two a little hand had touched mine, and I looked +down into a sweet face fairly radiant with smiles. I read it over. The +child was evidently delighted, and was restful and happy all the rest of +the day.—A. H. W., Deland, Florida + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +A week ago a friend wrote to me on business, and in the letter stated that +his wife had been very ill for six weeks. At once the thought came, “Tell +her to read the chapter on Healing, in Science and Health.” In my answer +to his letter I obeyed the thought. A few days after, I had occasion to +call; found her much better, and _reading_ Science and Health. They had +done as directed, and had received the promise.—R., New York + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +The first allusion to Christian Science reached me in an article I read on +that subject. Later, a friend came to visit me, bringing a copy of +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” For two weeks I read it +eagerly; then I sent for a copy for myself. When it came, I began to study +it. The Bible, of which I had had but a dim understanding, began to grow +clearer. The light grew brighter each day. Finally, I began to treat +myself against ills that had bound me for twenty-eight years. At the end +of six weeks I was _healed_, much to the amazement of all who knew me. +From that time, my desire was to help others out of their suffering, and +to talk this wonderful truth. After a while I took the class lectures, and +am doing what I can to spread this healing gospel.—A. M. G. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy + +_My Dear Leader:_—I will try to tell you how I was led to Christian +Science. Heretofore I have not tried to lead a Christian life, but have +always firmly believed that if one truly desired and needed help, he would +get it from God by asking for it. I suffered, as I think but very few +have, for fourteen years; yet I did not think it sufficient to warrant me +in asking God to help me, until I gave up all hope elsewhere,—and this +occurred in the spring of 1891. I then thought that the time had come to +commit myself to God. Being at home alone, after going to bed I prayed God +to deliver me from my torments, this sentence being the substance of my +prayer, “What shall I do to be saved?” + +I repeated that sentence, I suppose, until I fell asleep. About twelve +o’clock at night, I saw a vision in the form of a man with wings, standing +at the foot of my bed,—wings partly spread,—one arm hanging loosely at his +side, and one extended above his head. At the same time there was a bright +light shining in my room, which made all objects shine like fire. I knew +where I was, and was not afraid. The vision (for such it was), after +looking directly at me for some time, spoke this one sentence, and then +disappeared: “Do right, and thou shalt be saved.” + +I immediately tried to live according to that precept, and found relief in +proportion to my understanding. I soon after learned of Christian Science. +One of my brothers in Kansas, having been healed by it, persuaded me to +buy “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” wherein I learned +that the above precept was the key to Christian Science; that it is +Christian Science to do right, and that nothing short of right living has +any claim to the name. + +I have been learning my way in Christian Science about one year, and have +been successful in healing. I have all of your books, and am a subscriber +for the _Journal_ and _Quarterly Bible Lessons_. Some of the cases I have +treated have yielded almost instantly. I am a stranger to you, but I have +told you the truth, just as it occurred. Yours in truth, + +SAM SCHROYER, Oklahoma City, Okla. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I desire to make known the great good I have received by reading the +blessed book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” Four years +have now passed since I began to read it. It has been my only healer and +teacher, as I never have had an opportunity to go through a class; but I +find that the “Spirit of truth” will teach us all things if we will but +practise well what we know. After two years and a half of study, I +thought, as many beginners think, that I had travelled over the worst part +of this narrow path. + +Soon after, it came about that I was separated from every one who had ever +heard of Christian Science; and, as I lived in the country, no one came to +visit me for about eight months. At first, I thought the Lord had wrought +a great evil. I had no one to talk to, but would take my Science and +Health every morning, before going about my work, and read; yet mortal +mind would say, “You can do no good, with no one to talk with.” At last, +one morning after listening to the serpent’s voice, I looked out at the +little wild flowers as they waved to and fro; they seemed to be a living +voice, and this is what they said: “On earth peace, good will toward men.” +There was also a mocking-bird that would sit on the house and sing. For +the first time, I realized that divine Love was the only friend I needed. +Soon after, I sent the _Journal_ to my nearest neighbor, by her little son +who came to play with my children. Afterward she told me that when she +began to read it she said to the family, “God has sent this book to me.” +Calling to see her one evening, I found her suffering from heart disease. +I began talking to her about Christian Science, and in less than an hour +she declared herself healed. She is to-day a happy woman. I would say to +all suffering ones, that if you will buy a copy of this wonderful book, +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” by the Rev. Mary Baker G. +Eddy, and study it, and practise its teachings, you will find it a pearl +of great price. + +MRS. FANNIE MEEKS, Bells, Grayson Co., Texas + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +On my arrival in New York, last July, my brother spoke to me of “Science +and Health with Key to the Scriptures;” and, coming in contact with a +number of Scientists, all wishing me to procure the book, I did so. I read +it through in the same manner in which I would read any other book, to +find out the contents. + +Before I got to the end, having partly understood its meaning, I began to +demonstrate over old physical troubles, and they disappeared. A belt that +I had worn for over twelve years, I took off, and threw overboard (being a +seafaring man). + +Up to that time I had been a constant smoker, and chewed tobacco; but I +gradually lost all pleasure in it, and now look upon it with disgust. + +I was brought up in the Lutheran doctrine, and when a boy received a good +knowledge of Scripture; but I never understood it until explained to me in +Science and Health. + +H. F. WITKOV, +27 Needham Road, Liverpool, England + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +In a letter received a few days ago from one of my absent patients, there +was such a glorious testimonial for Science and Health that I feel as if I +ought to send it in for the pages of our _Journal_, trusting it may be the +means of helping many others to turn for help and comfort, in every +emergency, to this book. + +In her letter, this lady says: “A few days since, I had quite a serious +claim attack me. I left my mending, took Science and Health and read all +the afternoon and evening; when all trace of the claim was gone, and I +have felt nothing of it since.” + +When this dear woman applied to Truth, she was a great sufferer. Her +gratitude knows no bounds. Many chronic ailments, which have bound her +with heavy chains for many years, are being removed one by one. It is such +a sweet privilege to lead her out of this bondage of flesh, for she turns +with such childlike trust and obedience to the book, and looks to that for +aid in every trial and affliction. It is beautiful to see, and is a rebuke +to some of us older in the thought, who depend so much on personality. + +She is far away, in a little country town where Science has hardly been +heard of; but she is so happy with her book that she has no desire for +other reading. + +I have always tried to show her that God was with her there as well as +with us here; that in Him she possesses all; and that with her Bible and +Science and Health no harm can befall her, for the remedy for every ill +she has at hand.—MRS. C. H. S., Woburn, Mass. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I have been an interested reader of the _Journal_ for some time, and +thought I would contribute my mite by giving one of my latest +demonstrations in Christian Science. + +An accident occurred as follows: Officers, while hunting for a criminal in +thick underbrush, fired upon each other through mistake, and it was found +that one was shot six times; two of the bullets passing through the +abdomen, and one through the hips. + +Two physicians who examined him had no hope. He asked me to help him. I +took the case. Relief came almost instantly. I treated him for eight days; +the fifth, I heard one of three physicians, who held a private +consultation over my patient, ask him this question: + +“Mr. F——, have you not got one bit of pain?” I was rewarded by hearing him +answer, “No, sir; not the least bit.” No one else seemed to have any hope +for him; but I held firmly to the thought that God is an ever-present +help, never doubting, and Christian Science has again won a victory. Many +people call it a miracle, and it has set them to thinking. + +The harvest is now ripe and ready for the reaper. I wish some good +Christian Science teacher would come and help us. I can help in my own +way, but am not advanced enough to lead and teach others. I have only +studied Science and Health a little over a year, and have not been through +a class yet. + +S. G. SCHROYER, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I became interested in Christian Science through being healed. I had no +faith in doctors, therefore would not consult any; but felt that something +must be done, or I would soon follow a brother and sister who had passed +on with the same claim. In my extremity I thought of the “great +Physician,” and took my case to Him, and realized that He alone could help +me. + +A relative, finding I would not consult a doctor or take any drug, gave me +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” to read; saying that, +although a dear friend thought she was greatly helped by a Christian +Scientist, he himself had no faith in that kind of treatment, and had no +use for the book. + +I had heard of the people called Christian Scientists, and of their +textbook, Science and Health, but knew nothing about either; yet I wanted +to know, and took the book gladly, and was soon deeply interested in it. +It was a revelation to me. Although I could only understand it in part, I +knew it was the truth, and the truth was making me free. I felt that I had +been bound and in prison; and that now, one after another, the bonds were +being broken, and I was lifted into the pure air and light of heaven. I +was healed before I had read half-way through the precious volume; for I +was obliged to read slowly, and some passages over and over again. When I +came to page 304, line 10 (47th edition), I then and there felt that I +must add my testimony, though already there were "heaps upon heaps;" but +since then, I have tried to put the thought of those dark days away from +me, and only refer to them now in the hope that some one who is bound may +be released and brought into the light of divine Love, which alone can +heal, and make us “every whit whole.” + +L. M. C., Brooklyn, N.Y. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I have been thinking for a long time that I would give my experience in +coming out of sickness into the knowledge of health by reading “Science +and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” + +I was sixty years old (as we mortals count time) before I ever read one +word of Christian Science. On July 2, 1890, I met a Scientist who gave me +a pamphlet called “Christian Healing,” by the Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy. At +that time I was almost helpless. This lady advised me to buy Science and +Health. I did so, and tried to read it; but my hands were so lame I could +not hold it, and I let it fall to the floor so often that it became +unbound, and I laid it away and resumed my medicine. + +The following May, the Scientist visited in this city again. She advised +me to burn all my medicines and to lean unreservedly on the promises of +God. I took her advice; had my book rebound in three volumes, so I could +hold it more easily, and now read it constantly, reading nothing else. +Sometimes I would suffer intensely, then I would get a little better; then +more suffering, and so on, until August, 1891, when all pain left me. I +have had no return of it, and no disagreeable sensations of any kind, and +am perfectly well in all respects. + +Surely, if we will but trust our heavenly Father, He is sufficient for us. +I hope some one of, or near, my age, who is afflicted, may read this and +take courage; for I have _demonstrated_ the fact that, by reading Science +and Health, in connection with the Bible, and trying to follow the +teaching therein, one in the autumn of life may be made over new. I am so +thankful to God for my great recovery! + +That remark of Sojourner Truth helps me to a better understanding of Life +in God: “God is the great house that holds all His children; we dwell in +Him as the fishes dwell in the seas.”—P. T. P. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Until about one year ago, I had no thought of investigating Christian +Science. Previous to that time it had been presented to me in such a way +that I condemned it as unreasonable and absurd. At that time it was +presented to me in a more reasonable light. I determined to divest myself +of prejudice (as far as was possible) and investigate it, thinking that if +there was anything in it, it was for me as well as others; that I surely +needed it, and if I found no good in it, I could then with some show of +reason condemn it. + +I had been reading Science and Health about two weeks, when one morning I +wanted my cane. It had been misplaced; and while looking for it the +thought came to me, If all is Mind, I need no cane. I went out without it, +have not used it at all since, and do not need it as a support; but for a +time I did miss it from my hand. I had used it for years as a support to a +very lame back. + +I before went much stooped, because it pained me to straighten up; but +from the time I laid my cane aside I straightened up, free from pain. +Occasionally I have a slight pain in my back, but it is nothing to compare +with what it had been. + +In a short time after laying my cane aside, my pipe and tobacco went out +into the street and have not returned. I had smoked for sixty-five years, +and chewed for fifty. I have no desire for either of them; in fact, the +smoke is offensive to me. + +Many times before I had tried to quit, but the desire for it was so strong +that I would go back to it; and when I tried to “taper off,” I would make +the taper end the longest. + +Many other physical claims have disappeared, and it is a common thing for +acquaintances to say when they meet me, “You look better than I have seen +you for years; what have you been doing?” My reply is, I not only look +better, but feel better, and am better; and Christian Science has done it. + +With all this, I seem to have very little spiritual understanding of the +truth; am endeavoring to get more, but it seems slow. If there is a +shorter road to it than I have found, I should like to be directed to it. + +J. S. M., Joplin, Mo. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Four years ago I was healed by reading “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures.” The third day, one of my worst claims gave way. The book was +full of light, and disease vanished as naturally as darkness gives place +to light, although it was about six months before I was entirely healed. + +Seeing this truth in its purity, showed me where to take my stand; and in +defending it I have the prince of this world to meet. Mortal mind has even +called me crazy; but what a blessing to know the nothingness of that mind, +and that divine Principle governs all its ideas, and will place each where +it belongs! + +If our Master was persecuted, can his servants hope to escape? I know in +some degree what Paul meant when he said he rejoiced in tribulations, “for +when I am weak, then am I strong.” + +Many claims that have baffled the skill of the physicians have disappeared +through my understanding of Truth. What a blessing that we can break the +bread of Life to others, and so add to our crown of rejoicing! + +S. E. R., Kansas City, Mo. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +A dear little six-year old boy of my acquaintance was invited by his +teacher, with the rest of his class in kindergarten school, to attend a +picnic one afternoon. He did not feel that he wanted to go; seemed +dumpish, and according to mortal belief was not well; at noon, he said he +wanted to go to sleep. + +His mother took him in her lap and began to read to him from “Science and +Health with Key to the Scriptures.” Very soon he expressed a wish to go to +the picnic, and did go. His father, happening to pass the place where the +little ones were spending the afternoon, and somewhat surprised to see him +playing, as happy and active as any there, called to him and asked, “How +long did you sleep?” The little fellow replied, “I did not sleep at all; +mamma read to me from Science and Health, and I was well in a minute.”—K. +L. H. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +One evening I was calling on a neighbor, and somehow the subject of +Christian Science came up. I asked her what it was, and what they +believed. + +She then told me of a friend of hers who had become a Christian Scientist. +This friend had passed through great sorrow and disappointment; her health +had failed her, and her cheerful disposition had entirely changed; she +could talk of nothing but her troubles, and was a most unhappy woman. A +few years ago she visited my neighbor, who, greatly surprised at her +changed appearance,—for she was happy and well,—asked where her troubles +were. The reply was, “I have no troubles. I have found true happiness; for +I have become a Christian Scientist.” + +I became deeply interested, and asked if the students in Clinton had +public meetings on Sundays. She replied that they had, and told me where +they were. + +The next Sunday, I went. All was quiet when I entered, for they were +engaged in silent prayer. Soon they repeated the spiritual interpretation +of the Lord’s Prayer. I shall never forget the impression that made on me; +all the next week I heard the leader’s voice repeating the first sentence. + +I was invited to come again, and did so. One of the ladies loaned me +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and offered to get me +one; which she did the next week. I have studied it in connection with the +Bible. I have greatly improved in health, having had only one attack of a +physical trouble which caused great suffering, since that time, and that +was a year ago. + +At first, I did not think anything about being healed, or of my physical +infirmity. I only loved the sacred teaching. How true, that God’s word +does not return unto Him void! The words of truth that my neighbor’s +friend spoke to her, were what first awakened me. If the one who first +hears it does not receive it, it goes to some one who is ready, and it +takes root and bears fruit. + +MRS. G. H. I., Clinton, N.Y. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +About three years ago I was near death’s door with various troubles; also, +was seventy years old. I had a desire to know something of Christian +Science. + +I procured the textbook, and studied it with a desire to know the truth. +At first all was dark; but light began slowly to come, and at the end of +three months I found my physical claims all gone and my eyesight restored. +At the end of three months more, I had gained thirty-five pounds in +weight. + +I had been an infidel, and the change from that came more slowly; but now +I know that my Redeemer lives, and I am able by divine grace to make very +convincing demonstrations.—J. S., Rudd, Iowa + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +For a long time I have felt that I must in some way express my great debt +of gratitude for Christian Science. I know no better way to do so than to +give an account, through the _Journal_, of some of the many blessings I +have received as a result of our Leader’s untiring toil and +self-sacrificing love for suffering mortals, in giving to us the wonderful +book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” + +When I first heard of Christian Science, about six years ago, I was +satisfied that it was the religion of Christ Jesus, because Jesus had so +plainly said, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name +shall they cast out devils;... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they +shall recover.” + +I had been a church-member since my girlhood, but was not satisfied that +my belief would take me to heaven, as I did not have these “signs +following”—and this had always troubled me; so, when I heard that an old +acquaintance living at a distance had not only been raised from a dying +condition to health, but her life had been changed and purified through +Christian Science, I could hardly wait to know more of this Christlike +religion which was casting out evils and healing the sick. I searched +every bookstore in the city for Science and Health, at last found a copy, +and was delighted to get hold of it, but little realized what a treasure +it was to be to me and my household. + +At first it was like Greek to me, and I could not understand much of it, +but gleaned enough to keep on reading, and longed for some one to talk to +me of it. + +After I had been reading it about a year’s time, I suddenly became almost +blind. I knew no Scientist to go to, so went to physicians; they told me +that my case was hopeless, that it was certain my sight never could be +restored, and the probabilities were that I would soon be totally blind. + +I felt sure that Christian Science would help me if I could only fully +understand it; but there was no one from whom I could ask help, that I +knew of. I gave all the time that I could use my eyes to studying Science +and Health,—which at first was not more than five minutes two, and +sometimes three, times a day; gradually my sight returned, until it was +fully restored. + +During this time God and the “little book” were my only help. My +understanding was very limited; but like the prodigal son, I had turned +away from the husks, towards my Father’s house, and while I “was yet a +great way off” my Father came to meet me. When this great cloud of +darkness was banished by the light of Truth, could I doubt that Christian +Science was indeed the “Comforter” that would lead us “into all truth”? + +Again I lay at the point of death; but holding steadfastly to the truth, +knowing, from the teaching of this precious book, that God is Life and +there is no death, I was raised up to health,—restored to my husband and +little children, all of whom I am thankful to say are now with me in +Science. + +I had no one to talk with on this subject, knew no one of whose +understanding I felt sure enough to ask for help; but I was careful from +the first not to read or inquire into anything except genuine Christian +Science, and how thankful I am for it! Since then, I have been through a +class. + +I cannot express in words what Christian Science has done for my children, +or my gratitude that the light of Truth has come to them in their innocent +childhood,—healing all claims of sickness, and showing us how to overcome +the more stubborn claims of sin.—L. F. B. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +It is a little over one year since a very esteemed friend, of this city, +invited me to partake of the heavenly manna contained in the revelation of +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” I had, up to that time, +been for fifteen years a victim of hip-joint disease; this eventually +confining me to my bed, where I had been ten months when the “book of +prophecy” was opened for me. I was not long in finding the light I +needed,—that gave “feet to the lame,” enabling me now to go, move, and +walk, where I will, without crutch or support of any description, save the +staff of divine Science. + +In proportion as my thoughts are occupied with the work in Science, does +the peace and joy come inwardly that transforms the blight of error +externally. + +T. G. K, Tacoma, Wash. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I wish to acknowledge the blessings which Christian Science has brought to +me through reading “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” My +first demonstration was over the tobacco habit; I had smoked for at least +fifteen years: I have now no desire for tobacco. + +I was then healed of two claims which had bound me for ten years. My +prayer is that I may be so filled with the truth that I can carry the +message to my brother man. + +F. W. K, Angelica, N.Y. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I take advantage of the great privilege granted us, to give my testimony +for Christian Science through the pages of our much loved _Journal_. The +blessing has been so bountiful that words can but poorly express my +gratitude. + +A little over six years ago, a relative came from Denver, Colorado, to +visit us. She was a Christian Scientist, having herself been healed of a +severe claim that M. D.’s, drugs, and climate could not relieve; and her +husband having been in the drug business, she had had a chance to give +them a fair trial. + +My sister-in-law did not talk much on the subject, as I remember; but what +was better, lived the truth before us as she realized it. + +One day (a blessed day to me), I ventured to open Science and Health, and +read the first sentence in the Preface. I closed the book, wondering what +more it could contain, this seeming to cover the whole ground. When my +sister-in-law returned to the room, I asked her if I might read it. Her +reply was, “Yes; but begin at the first.” + +That night, after all had retired, I began to read; within forty-eight +hours I destroyed all drugs, applications, etc., notwithstanding the fact +that my husband had just paid fifty dollars to a travelling specialist for +part of a treatment. With the drugs disappeared ailments of nine years’ +standing, which M. D.’s had failed to relieve. + +I now understand that my sudden healing was due to my turning completely +away from material methods; for I was convinced I should never use them +again. I realized that God was my health, my strength, my Life, therefore +All. As I read Science and Health, I wondered why others had not discerned +this truth,—physicians, ministers, and others who had devoted their lives +to benefit mankind. Yes! why? Because they had been seeking in the +opposite direction to Truth, namely, for cause and effect in matter, when +all cause and effect are mental. + +I mention physicians and ministers, because one class claims to heal +disease, the other claims to heal sin; but Christian Science heals +physically and morally,—it contains all; “its leaves are for the healing +of the nations.” + +L. B. A., Memphis, Tenn. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I was for years a great sufferer. I called doctor after doctor, getting no +help. The last one, after treating me for one year, told me he would give +me one year more to live. + +One evening a near neighbor came in and asked me to go home with her; and +as it was only a few steps, I did so. + +She took up a new book, Science and Health, read me a few chapters, and +then gave me some Christian Science tracts, which I read, and one of them +I almost committed to memory. + +I bought a copy of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and +studied it carefully. I am healed of all those claims which troubled me so +long. I was lifted out of darkness into light. + +M. J. P., Burns, Oregon + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Chicago, March 19, 1894 + +_Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy, Boston, Mass.:_—I wish to thank you for the true +light that was revealed to me by reading your book, “Science and Health +with Key to the Scriptures,” and at once adopting its teaching. It was one +year ago to-day that I put on the armor, determined never to surrender to +the enemy; and you may know I have looked forward to this day with a great +deal of pleasure, to show my friends that the Lord is constantly with me +to help overcome all evil. + +Some said, when I first started in this new path, “Wait until you get one +of your stomach attacks, and you will change your mind.” For months they +have waited, and are beginning to see the truth in my actions, that speak +for themselves, and show that all is _Mind_. + +For nearly thirty years I had been a sufferer from throat and stomach +troubles; bronchitis, dyspepsia, gastralgia, and gastritis, etc., were the +terms applied by my physicians. About eighteen years of that time I was +engaged in the drug business, had constant opportunities for consulting +the best physicians, and took such medicine as I felt assured would cure +me; but only to be disappointed each time. + +The last few years I had been living on oatmeal crackers and hot water; +suffering more or less all the time, and could not eat anything else +without suffering intense pain. I felt as though I could not live many +months more, and was getting ready to give up the fight when a dear friend +and neighbor, Mrs. Corning, left a copy of Science and Health at our home. +At first I did not care to read it; having been educated, for many years, +in the belief that medicine can cure all diseases, I could not conceive of +anything else to cure the sick. + +One Sunday I had the curiosity to know something about this Christian +Science, and read Science and Health. The more I read, the more interested +I became, and finally said to myself, “I will try it.” I took a large +porous plaster and four thicknesses of flannel off my stomach, and threw +them in the corner, saying, “Now it shall be Mind over matter; no more +matter over Mind.” I filled a large basket full of bottles containing +medicine, and put it in the shed (where all medicine should be). From that +day I have eaten of everything on the table, and all I wished. Coffee was +my worst enemy, and I had not tasted it for years without suffering untold +agony. Several days passed before I cared to drink it; then, one morning, +I told my family I would commence to use it; I did, and have used it every +day since, and don’t know that I have a stomach, as it never has caused me +any trouble since that morning. + +I am happy to say I have not used a drop of any kind of medicine, +internally or externally, from that day, and _I know that all is Mind_. I +read the Bible and Science and Health nearly every day, thanking the Lord +for the years of suffering which have led me to the truth as taught by our +Saviour; for I feel it was only through its victory over the suffering +that the truth could have been revealed in my case. + +I have had some demonstrations to make over error, but each time it +becomes easier. God is ever present and ready to help me, and I trust in +Him; my faith is planted on a rock that is immovable. + +Yours truly, FRANK S. EBERHART + +P. S. If you think this letter, or any part of it, will help some one out +of darkness into the light of Truth, you are at liberty to have it +published. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Having so many occupations and interruptions, I have not found time to +read “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” sufficiently, but +will not on that account delay thanking you for its excellence. + +HENRY W. LONGFELLOW, Cambridge, Mass. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I am an old-school practitioner; have served as surgeon in two European +wars; practised medicine for about ten years in New York city and +Brooklyn, until my health compelled me to relinquish my profession. I +became a victim of the morphia habit, taking daily thirty grains of that +drug. My physicians declared me consumptive, and abandoned all hopes of +recovery. Shortly after this I made the acquaintance of a student of the +author of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” who presented +me with her works; and as drugs did me no good, I stopped taking any +whatever, save morphia, without which I thought it impossible to get +along, and to my astonishment began to gain in flesh, and my ambition +returning in proportion. I finally felt that I would stop my loathsome +habit of morphia-eating, and did so in one week, without any discomfort +worth mentioning. For a test I administered one fourth of a grain of +morphia to the aforesaid Scientist, hypodermically, without the slightest +physiological effect, clearly proving the existence of metaphysical laws. +I have read Science and Health carefully, and consider my present improved +health solely due to mental influence. + +OTTO ANDERSON, M.D., Cincinnati, Ohio + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +The profound truths which you announce, sustained by facts of the immortal +life, give to your work the seal of inspiration—reaffirm in modern phrase +the Christian revelations. In times like these, so sunk in sensualism, I +hail with joy your voice, speaking an assured word for God and +immortality, and my joy is heightened that these words are of woman’s +divinings. + +A. BRONSON ALCOTT, Concord, Mass. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I was sick six years; tried many physicians and remedies, but received no +lasting benefit from any of them, and concluded I must remain sick the +rest of my life. In this condition, I purchased the book “Science and +Health with Key to the Scriptures,” read it, was deeply interested, and +noticed that my health began to improve; and the more I read the book, the +better I became in health. This I can say truly: it did more for my health +than all the physicians and remedies that I had ever tried.—DR. S. G. +TODD, 11 School St., Newburyport + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I had been a nervous sufferer for nine years; had a belief of incurable +disease of the heart, and was subject to severe nervous prostration if I +became the least weary. I was told that if I should read your books they +would cure me. I commenced reading them: in ten days I was surprised to +find myself overcoming my nervous spasms without the aid of medicine; and +ever since then I have been improving, and I now can walk twenty miles +without fatigue, and have been able to rise above all ailments. + +MRS. JULIA A. B. DAVIS, +Central Village, Westport, Mass. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I would inform my friends and the public, that after twelve years of +sickness I am restored to health; and, with renewed vigor and keen +enjoyment, take up the pleasures and duties of life once more; all labor +now seems less arduous, and all happiness more perfect. To Christian +Science, as taught in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” I +am indebted for my restoration. I can cordially recommend this book to +all. + +ROSE A. WIGGLESWORTH, Lowell, Mass. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +When I commenced reading “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” +I could sit up but a very short time, and could not eat the most simple +food without great distress. In a few days there was a great change, and I +have been growing better ever since. + +E. D. RICHARDSON, Merrimac, Mass. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I have not been as well for years as I have been since reading “Science +and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” all of which I impute to its +teaching. + +(MRS.) MARY A. WILLIAMS, Freeport, Ill. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Had been in ill-health for several years; had been confined to my bed +three months, when I got your book and read it. At first I was unable to +read it myself, and others read it to me, and the truth revealed in your +book restored me to health. + +(COL.) E. J. SMITH, Washington, D.C. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I have been perusing with great interest your work on metaphysical +Science, for the last four months, and to great advantage; you make the +path to health so plain, that a wayfaring man, though a fool, cannot err +therein. + +R. I. BARKER, Bethel, Me. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” “is a lamp unto my feet, +and a light unto my path;” your missiles of Mind have battered down the +illusions of sense, allowing Life to appear an eternal monument, whose +spirited hieroglyphics, Truth and Love, unlike those cut in marble, shall +grow more luminous to consciousness as sickness, sin and death fade out of +belief. + +ARTHUR T. BUSWELL, +_Office of Associated Charities_, Cincinnati, O. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” is beautiful in its form +of thought and expression. I have perused it with interest. Your book +tends to lead us to new thoughts and practices in the healing art, and for +many maladies I have no doubt the treatment your excellent work introduces +will be the only remedy. + +(COL.) ROB’T B. CAVERLY, Centralville, Mass. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Undoubtedly “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” is the +greatest and grandest book ever published; and that by pulpit and press it +will be so acknowledged, is only a question of time. Yours has, indeed, +been a pioneer work, and will be; and I believe that you, of all the +millions, are selected and chosen because of your peculiar fitness for +this great work—this grand work of opening the gates and leading the way, +that fallen humanity may follow step by step; reach up to Christ, and be +made whole! That all this should be systematized and proven with +mathematical precision,—that there can be no guesswork or quackery,—is +simply astounding. Science and Health has given me a new impetus +heavenward. + +M. A. HINKLEY, Williamsport, Pa. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +The book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” is the most +wonderful work that has been written in the past five thousand years. I +wish you could get ten dollars per copy. I am of the opinion that I can +heal the sick on its basis, from reading the work. + +H. D. DEXTER, M. D., Dundee, N.Y. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy’s book, “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures,” has been duly catalogued and placed on our shelves for use. +In behalf of the trustees, let me convey cordial thanks to the +earnest-minded author for this interesting contribution. My own idea is, +that the power of Mind or Spirit is supreme in character, and destined to +supremacy over all that is adverse to divine order. + +WILLIAM H. KIMBALL, +_Librarian New Hampshire State Library_ + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I am reading the work, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” +for the third time; and I am convinced of the truth of the Science of +which it treats,—instructing us how to attain holiness of heart, purity of +life, and the sublime ascendency of soul over body. + +C. CLEMENT, McMinnville, Warren Co., Tenn. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I was sick for a number of years with what some of the most skilful +physicians pronounced an incurable disease. The more I tried to get help, +the worse I became, until a life of pain and helplessness seemed +unavoidable. Two years ago I heard of “Science and Health with Key to the +Scriptures,” began reading it and trying to live up to its teachings. At +first, my beliefs were so strong I made but little progress; but gradually +my disease gave way, and finally disappeared, and to-day I am a well +woman. I cannot express the gratitude I feel for what the light shining +through the teachings of that book did for me. + +(MRS.) EMILY T. HOWE, Norway, Me. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +I have been reading “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and +feasting—like a starving, ship-wrecked mariner, on the food that was to +sustain him—on truths which ages to come will appreciate, understand, and +accept. Many of the theories which at first appear abstruse and obscure, +at length become clear and lucid. The candle of intellect requires +occasional snuffing to throw the clear light of penetration on the page. + +(MRS.) S. A. ORNE, Malden, Mass. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +The mother of a little girl about eight years old told me her child was +having a severe attack of cold, and was delicate and easy to take cold. I +told her the little girl would be all right; not to give her any medicine, +but read Science and Health to her. When I next saw the mother, she told +me the little girl was entirely well; that the cold had all disappeared, +and with it a claim of night-sweats that the child had been under for more +than a year. The little girl had been out sliding down-hill in the snow a +number of times; had her feet very wet, but it did not affect her at all. +They were all pleased,—especially the child; her face was beaming with +happiness and smiles. This is just one little instance of the good that +comes from reading Science and Health. + +T. W. H. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +Opinions Of The Press + +This is, perhaps, the most remarkable book on health, in some respects, +which has appeared in this country. The author evidently discards +physiology, hygiene, mesmerism, magnetism, and every form of medication, +bathing, dieting, etc.,—all go by the board; no medicine, manipulation, or +external applications are permitted; everything is done through the mind. +Applied to certain conditions, this method has great value: even the +reading of the author’s book has cured hopeless cases. The author claims +that her methods are those used by Christ and his apostles, and she has +established a church and school to propagate them.—_Herald of Health_, N. +Y. (M. L. HOLBROOK, _Publisher_) + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +The Christian Scientists claim that the power of healing is not lost, and +have supported that claim by inducing cures astonishingly like those +quoted from the New Testament. And even more good they hope to achieve, as +this power which they possess is better understood and the new light gains +strength in the world. Experience has taught us that the nearer we +approach to the source of a report of miraculous power, the smaller does +the wonder grow. In the instance of the Christian Scientists, the result +has been rather the reverse; if third parties have related a remarkable +circumstance, the person of whom the fact was alleged has been found to +make the assertion still stronger.—_Boston Sunday Globe_ + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” by Mary Baker G. Eddy, +President of the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, is a remarkable +publication, claiming to elucidate the influence of mentality over matter. +Mrs. Eddy announces herself as the discoverer of this metaphysical +Science, and receives students, to whom she imparts so much of her +metaphysics as their minds are capable of receiving. The volumes are a +vigorous protest against the materialism of our modern scientists, Darwin, +Huxley, Tyndall, etc. Her Science of Mind was first self-applied: having +been ill and treated by doctors of the various schools without benefit, +she discovered the grand Principle of all healing to be God, or Mind. +Relying on this Principle alone, she regained her health, and for the last +sixteen years has taught this theory to others, and has healed the sick in +all cases where the patient’s mentality was sufficiently strong to +understand her teachings and act upon them.—_Brooklyn Eagle_ + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +The book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” is certainly +original, and contains much that will do good. The reader will find this +work not influenced by superstition or pride, but striking out +boldly,—full of self-sacrifice and love towards God and man.—_Christian +Advocate_, Buffalo, N. Y. + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +The doctrines of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” are high +and pure, wholly free from those vile theories about love and marriage +which have been so prevalent among the spiritualists. This new sect +devotes itself to a study of the Bible, and a practice of curing disease +without mesmerism or spiritualism. It treats Darwin and materialists with +a lofty scorn.—_Springfield Republican_ + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” is indisputably a +wonderful work. It has no equal. No one can read the book and not be +benefited by it in mind and body. The work is endorsed by some of the best +men of the age.—_Star-Spangled Banner_ + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +We shall watch with keen interest the promised results of “Science and +Health with Key to the Scriptures.” The work shows how the body can be +cured, and how a better state of Christianity can be introduced (which is +certainly very desirable). It likewise has a hard thrust at spiritualism; +and, taken altogether, it is a very rare book.—_Boston Investigator_ + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +The author of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” which is +attracting much attention, shows her ability to defend her cause with +vigor.—_Boston Weekly Journal_ + +(_By permission_) + +How To Understand Science And Health + +_My Dear Friend H.:_—Your good letter of the 26th ult. came duly to hand +several days ago, and I am not greatly surprised at its contents. You say, +in substance, that you procured the book, “Science and Health with Key to +the Scriptures,” which I recommended, and that to your surprise and +disgust you found it to be a work on faith-cure, and ask by what process +of reasoning I could possibly bring myself to adopt or accept such +visionary theories. In answer to your very natural question, I will try, +in my own way, to give you what appears to me to be a reason for the hope +that is in me. + +My religious views of fifteen years ago are too familiar to you to need +any exposition at my hands at this time. Suffice it to say that the +religion of the Bible, as taught by the churches, to my mind appeared to +be self-contradictory and confusing, and their explanations failed to +explain. During the next eleven years my convictions underwent little +change. I read everything that came in my way that had any bearing upon, +or pretended in any degree to explain, the problem of life; and while I +gained some knowledge of a general nature, I was no nearer the solution of +life’s problem than when I began my investigations years ago, and I had +given up all hope of ever being able to come to a knowledge of the truth, +or a satisfactory explanation of the enigma of life. + +In all my intellectual wanderings I had never lost my belief in a great +First Cause, which I was as well satisfied to call God as anything else; +but the orthodox explanations of His or its nature and power were to my +mind such a mixture of truth and error, that I could not tell where fact +left off and fancy began. The whole effort of the pulpit being put forth, +seemed directed to the impossible task of harmonizing the teachings of +Jesus Christ with the wisdom of the world; and the whole tendency of our +religious education was to befog the intellect and produce scepticism in a +mind that presumed to think for itself and to inquire into the why and the +wherefore. I fully believe that the agnosticism of yourself and myself was +produced by the futile attempt to mix and harmonize the wisdom of the +world with the philosophy of the Christ. + +In my investigations into the researches of the savants and philosophers I +found neither any satisfactory explanation of things as they seemed to +exist, nor any solution of the great and all-absorbing question, “What is +Truth?” Their premises appeared to be sound, and their reasonings +faultless; but in the nature of things, no final conclusion of the whole +matter could be reached from premises based wholly on material knowledge. +They could explain “matter” and its properties to their own satisfaction, +but the intelligence that lay behind or beyond it, and which was +manifested in and through it, was to them as much of a mystery as it was +to the humblest of God’s creatures. They could prove pretty conclusively +that many of the generally accepted theories had no basis in fact; but +they left us as much in the dark regarding Life and its governing +Principle as had the divines before them. + +About four years ago, while still in the mental condition above indicated, +my attention was called to what at that time appeared to me to be a new +phase of spiritism, and which was called by those who professed to believe +in it, _Christian Science_. I thought that I had given some attention to +about all the _isms_ that ever existed, and that this was only another +phantasm of some religionist lost in the labyrinths of mental +hallucination. + +In my reflections at that time it seemed to me that life was an +incomprehensible enigma; that the creator had placed us on this earth, and +left us entirely in the dark as to His purpose in so doing. We seemed to +be cast upon the ocean of time, and left to drift aimlessly about, with no +exact knowledge of what was required of us or how to attain unto the +truth, which must certainly have an existence somewhere. It seemed to me +that in the very nature of things there must be a great error somewhere in +our understanding, or that the creator Himself had slipped a cog when He +fitted all things into their proper spheres. That there had been a grand +mistake somewhere I had no doubt; but I still had doubt enough of my own +capabilities and understanding to believe that the mistake, whatever it +was, was in me and not in the creator. I knew that, in a fair measure at +least, I had an honest desire to live aright, as it was given me to see +the right, and to strive to some extent to do the will of God, if I could +only know certainly just what it was. + +While in this frame of mind, I inwardly appealed to the great unseen power +to enlighten my understanding, and to lead me into a knowledge of the +truth, promising mentally to follow wherever it might lead, if I could +only do so understandingly. + +My wife had been investigating Christian Science to some extent, but +knowing my natural antipathy to such vagaries, as I then thought them, had +said very little to me about it; but one day, while discussing the +mysteries of life with a judge of one of our courts, he asked me whether I +had ever looked into the teachings of the Christian Scientists. I told him +that I had not, and he urged me very strongly to do so. He claimed to have +investigated their teachings, and said that he had become a thorough +believer in them. This aroused my curiosity, and I procured the book +called “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and read it. +Before reading very far in it, I became pretty thoroughly nauseated with +what I thought the chimerical ideas of the author, but kept on +reading,—more because I had promised to read the book than because of +interest in its teachings; but before I had gotten through with it, I did +become interested in the Principle that I thought I discovered the author +was striving to elucidate; and when I got through it, I began again and +reread it very carefully. When I had finished reading this book the second +time, I had become thoroughly convinced that her explanation of the +religion taught by Jesus Christ, and what he did teach, afforded the only +explanation which, to my mind, came anywhere near harmonizing and making +cohesive what had always seemed contradictory and inexplicable in the +Bible. I became satisfied that I had found the truth for which I had long +been seeking, and I arose from the reading of the book a changed man; +doubt and uncertainty had fled, and my mind has never been troubled with a +serious doubt upon the subject from that day to this. + +I do not pretend to have acquired the power it is claimed we may attain +to; but I am satisfied that the fault is in me, and not in the Principle. +I think I can almost hear you ask, What! do you believe in miracles? I +answer unhesitatingly, Yes; I believe in the manifestations of the power +of Mind which the world calls miraculous; but which those who claim to +understand the Principle through which the works are done, seem to think +not unnatural, but only the logical result of the application of a known +Principle. + +It always did seem to me that Truth should be self-evident, or at least +susceptible of unmistakable proof,—which all religions seemed to lack, at +least in so far as I had known them. I now remember that Jesus furnished +unmistakable proofs of the truth of his teachings, by his manifestations +of the power of Mind, or, as some might call it, Spirit; which power he +plainly taught would be acquired by those who believed in the Principle +which he taught, and which manifestations would follow as signs that an +understanding of his philosophy had been reached. It does seem to me, that +where the signs do not follow professing Christians which Christ said +should follow them, there must be something wrong, either in his teachings +or their understanding of them; and to say the least, the foundations of +their faith require a careful re-examination, with a view to harmonizing +them with the plain teachings of the Christ in whose footsteps they +profess to follow. + +I never could understand how God could be ever-present as a personal +Being, but I think I can and do understand how divine Principle can +pervade every thing and place. + +I never could understand how heaven could be a place with gorgeous +fittings, but I think I can and do understand how it might be a spiritual +(or if you please mental) condition. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God +cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo +there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” + +“Knowledge (or understanding) is power.” Since adopting the views of life +as set forth in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” I have +seen proofs of what can be accomplished through a knowledge of the truth, +which to my mind amount to demonstrations, and which no longer seem +incredible, but which I do not ask another to accept upon my statements. +Every one must see or feel for himself in order to be convinced; but I am +satisfied that any who will lay aside their preconceived notions, and deal +honestly with themselves and the light they have, will come to a knowledge +of the truth as illustrated in the teachings and life of Jesus Christ; +that is, that Mind, or Soul, or whatever you may be pleased to call it, is +the real Ego, or self, and that mortal mind with its body is the unreal +and vanishing, and eventually goes back to its native nothingness. + +Truth is, and ever has been, simple; and because of its utter simplicity, +we in our pride and selfishness have been looking right over it. We have +been keeping our eyes turned toward the sky, scanning the heavens with a +far-off gaze in search of light, expecting to see the truth blaze forth +like some great comet, or in some extraordinary manner; and when, instead +of coming in great pomp and splendor, it appears in the simpleness of +demonstration, we are staggered at it, and refuse to accept it; our +intellectual pride is shocked, and we are sure that there has been some +mistake. Human nature is ever the same. The Jews were looking for +something transcendently wonderful, and the absence of it made the Christ, +Truth, to them a stumbling-block. It was foolishness to the Greeks, who +excelled in the worldly wisdom of that day; but in all ages of the world +it has ever been the power of God to them that believe, not blindly, but +because of an enlightened understanding. + +I always did think that there was something beautiful in the philosophy of +life as taught by Jesus Christ, but that it was impracticable and not +susceptible of application to the affairs of life in a world constituted +as this appeared to be. As I now view it, that belief was the result of +ignorance of the real power that “moves the universe,”—too much faith in +matter or effect, and not enough in Mind or cause, which is God. + +To one who can accept the truth that all causation is in Mind, and who +therefore begins to look away from matter and into Mind, or Spirit, for +all that is real and eternal, and for all that produces anything that is +lasting, the doubts and petty annoyances of life become dissolved in the +light of a better understanding, which has been refined in the crucible of +charity and love; and they fade away into the nothingness from whence they +came, never having had any existence in fact, being only the inventions of +erring human belief. + +Read the teachings of the Christ from a Christian Science standpoint, and +they no longer appear vague and mystical, but become luminous and +powerful,—and, let me say, intelligible. + +It is true, as you intimate, that this theory of life is much more +generally accepted by women than by men, and it may be true that as a rule +their reasoning is much less rigid in its nature than that of the sterner +sex, and that they may be liable to scan their premises less keenly; but +may it not also be true, that they are of finer texture and more spiritual +in their natures, and that they may be just as likely to arrive at the +truth through their intuitions, in connection with their logic, as we are +through the more rugged courses? If it be true that man is the more +logical, the fallibility of our own reasonings very frequently becomes +painfully apparent even to ourselves, and they are therefore not the +safest gauge by which to judge others. + +I believe, myself, that when it comes to standing up for Truth in the face +of the world, and possibly at the sacrifice of position and popularity, +women possess the necessary courage in a much greater degree than do men. + +I had not intended to weary you with such a long letter, but after getting +into the subject, I hardly knew where to stop. As an old and loved friend, +I have given you a glimpse of my inner life, because I hardly knew how to +explain my mental condition to you in any other way.... + + + + + + +FOOTNOTES + + + 1 The order of this sentence has been conformed to the text of the + 1908 edition of Science and Health. [24] + + 2 Quoted from the sixth edition. [30] + + 3 Quoted from the sixteenth edition. + + 4 A copy of the Bible was included among the books placed in the + corner-stone. + + 5 See the revised edition of 1890, or page 334 in editions subsequent + to 1902. + + 6 See edition of 1909. + + 7 See Science and Health, p. 47, revised edition of 1890, and pp. 152, + 153 in late editions. + + 8 Page 292 of the revised edition of 1890. + + 9 Page 234, revised edition of 1890. + + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS, 1883-1896*** + + + +CREDITS + + +February 27, 2010 + + Project Gutenberg TEI edition 1 + Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David King, and the Online + Distributed Proofreading Team at <http://www.pgdp.net/>. + + + +A WORD FROM PROJECT GUTENBERG + + +This file should be named 31427‐0.txt or 31427‐0.zip. + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + + + http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/1/4/2/31427/ + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one — the old editions will be +renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one +owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and +you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission +and without paying copyright royalties. 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