Chapter III. Questions And Answers.What do you consider to be mental malpractice? [1]Mental malpractice is a bland denial of Truth,and is the antipode of Christian Science. Tomentally argue in a manner that can disastrouslyaffect the happiness of a fellow-being—harm him [5]morally, physically, or spiritually—breaks the GoldenRule 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 tosay that such a subversion of right is not scientific. Its [10]claim to power is in proportion to the faith in evil, andconsequently to the lack of faith in good. Such falsefaith finds no place in, and receives no aid from, thePrinciple or the rules of Christian Science; for it deniesthe grand verity of this Science, namely, that God, good, [15]hasallpower.This leaves the individual no alternative but to re-linquish his faith in evil, or to argue against his ownconvictions of good and so destroy his power to be orto do good, because he has no faith in theomnipotence[20]of God, good. He parts with his understanding of good,in order to retain his faith in evil and so succeed with his[pg 032]wrong argument,—if indeed he desires success in this [1]broad road to destruction.How shall we demean ourselves towards the studentsof disloyal students? And what about that clergyman'sremarks on“Christ and Christmas”?[5]From this question, I infer that some of my studentsseem not to know in what manner they should act towardsthe students of false teachers, or such as have strayedfrom 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 inmy books, on this very subject.In Mark, ninth chapter, commencing at the thirty-third verse, you will find my views on this subject; lovealone is admissible towards friend and foe. My sym- [15]pathies extend to the above-named class of students morethan to many others. If I had the time to talk with allstudents 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 thetime and attention that they need,—and charity mustbegin 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 bejust, merciful; they should never envy, elbow, slander,hate, or try to injure, but always should try to bless theirfellow-mortals. [30]To the query in regard to some clergyman's com-[pg 033]ments on my illustrated poem, I will say: It is the righteous [1]prayer that avails with God. Whatever is wrong willreceive its own reward. The high priests of old causedthe crucifixion of even the great Master; and therebythey lost, and he won, heaven. I love all ministers and [5]ministries of Christ, Truth.All clergymen may not understand the illustrationsin“Christ and Christmas;”or that these refer not topersonality, but present the type and shadow of Truth'sappearing 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 behealed by it?This is a question that is being asked every day. Ithas 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, andfollow the directions given. Patients naturally gain con-fidence in Christian Science as they recognize the helpthey derive therefrom. [20]What are the advantages of your system of healing, overthe 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 ofall“the ills that flesh is heir to,”the antidote for sickness,as well as for sin, may and must be found in mortal mind'sopposite,—the divine Mind.Second: It is more effectual than drugs; curing where [30][pg 034]these fail, and leaving none of the harmful“after effects”[1]of these in the system; thus proving that metaphysicsis 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 mortalmind must be improved, before the body is renewedand harmonious,—since the physique is simply thoughtmade manifest.Is spiritualism or mesmerism included in Christian[10]Science?They are wholly apart from it. Christian Science isbased on divine Principle; whereas spiritualism, so faras I understand it, is a mere speculative opinion andhuman 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 morecome to those they have left, than we, in our present stateof 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 isim-mortal, and there is not a moment when he ceases toexist. All that are called“communications from spirits,”lie within the realm of mortal thought on this present planeof existence, and are the antipodes of Christian Science; [25]the immortal and mortal are as direct opposites as lightand darkness.Who is the Founder of mental healing?The author of“Science and Health with Key to theScriptures,”who discovered the Science of healing em- [30][pg 035]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; andsubsequently her recovery, through the supremacy ofMind over matter, from a severe casualty pronounced [5]by the physicians incurable, sealed that proof with thesignet of Christian Science. In 1883, a million of peo-ple acknowledge and attest the blessings of this mentalsystem of treating disease. Perhaps the followingwords of her husband, the late Dr. Asa G. Eddy, [10]afford the most concise, yet complete, summary of thematter:—“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 isone obliged to become a student under your personal in-struction? And if one is obliged to study under you, ofwhat 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 atcollege?You are benefited by reading Science and Health, butit 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 withKey to the Scriptures,”2Vol. I. page 14:“That which[pg 036]is erring, sinful, sick, and dying, termed material or [1]mortal man, is neither God's man nor Mind; but to beunderstood, we shall classify evil and error as mortalmind, in contradistinction to good and Truth, or theMind 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 onlycause is the eternal Mind, which is God, and there isbut one God. The ferocious mind seen in the beast is [10]mortal mind, which is harmful and proceeds not fromGod; for His beast is the lion that lieth down withthe lamb. Appetites, passions, anger, revenge, subtlety,are the animal qualities of sinning mortals; and thebeasts 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 immortalMind.What is the distinction between mortal mind and immortalMind?[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.”Mortalmind is an illusion; as much in our waking momentsas 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][pg 037]besides God, good. God would not be omnipotent if [1]there were in reality another mind creating or governingman or the universe.Immortal Mind is God; and this Mind is mademanifest in all thoughts and desires that draw man- [5]kind toward purity, health, holiness, and the spiritualfacts of being.Jesus recognized this relation so clearly that he said,“I and my Father are one.”In proportion as we opposethe 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 theanimal for the spiritual, and learn the meaning of thosewords of Jesus,“Go ye into all the world ... heal thesick.”[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, whichcorrects mortal thought, whence cometh all evil. Godcan and does destroy the thought that leads to moral [20]or physical death. Intemperance, impurity, sin of everysort, is destroyed by Truth. The appetite for alcoholyields to Science as directly and surely as do sicknessand 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 thelabor that Christian Science demands.[pg 038]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 oflife,—as this teaching certainly does,—is it un- [5]reasonable to expect in return something to supportone's self and a Cause? If so, our whole systemof education, secular and religious, is at fault, and theinstructors 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 yourcarnal things?”How happened you to establish a college to instruct inmetaphysics, when other institutions find little interest insuch a dry and abstract subject?[15]Metaphysics, as taught by me at the MassachusettsMetaphysical College, is far from dry and abstract. Itis a Science that has the animus of Truth. Its practicalapplication to benefit the race, heal the sick, enlightenand 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 hypotheticalfor 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 studentin order to cure his present disease, if this is whatyou mean. Were it so, the Science would be of less[pg 039]practical value. Many who apply for help are not [1]prepared to take a course of instruction in ChristianScience.To avoid beingsubjectto disease, would require theunderstanding of how you are healed. In 1885, this [5]knowledge can be obtained in its genuineness at theMassachusetts Metaphysical College. There are abroadat this early date some grossly incorrect and falseteachers of what they term Christian Science; of suchbeware. They have risen up in a day to make this claim; [10]whereas the Founder of genuine Christian Science hasbeen all her years in giving it birth.Can you take care of yourself?God giveth to every one thispuissance; and I havefaith in His promise,“Lo, I am with you alway”— [15]all the way. Unlike the M. D.'s, Christian Scientistsare not afraid to take their own medicine, for thismedicine is divine Mind; and from this saving, ex-haustless source they intend to fill the human mind withenough of the leaven of Truth to leaven the whole lump. [20]There may be exceptional cases, where one ChristianScientist who has more to meet than others needs supportat 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 mostobstructs the way?A Christian, or a Christian Scientist, assumes no morewhen claiming to work with God in healing the sick,than in converting the sinner. Divine help is as neces-[pg 040]sary in the one case as in the other. The scientific Prin- [1]ciple of healing demands such cooperation; but thisunison and its power would be arrested if one were tomix 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 aseffectual in destroying sickness as in the destructionof sin.It is often asked,“If Christian Science is the samemethod of healing that Jesus and the apostles used, [10]why do not its students perform as instantaneous curesas did those in the first century of the Christian era?”In some instances the students of Christian Scienceequal the ancient prophets as healers. All true healingis 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, discordof whatever sort. The reason that the same results fol-low not in every ease, is that the student does not inevery 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 possessthe spirit of Truth and Love, must gain the powerover sin in themselves, or they cannot be instantaneoushealers. [25]In this Christian warfare the student or practitionerhas to master those elements of evil too common to otherminds. If it is hate that is holding the purpose to killhis patient by mental means, it requires more divineunderstanding 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[pg 041]brute-force that only the cruel and evil can send forth, is [1]given vent in the diabolical practice of one who, havinglearned the power of liberated thought to do good, per-verts it, and uses it to accomplish an evil purpose. Thismental 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 thepower to heal, and destroys their own possibility ofprogressing.The honest student of Christian Science is purged [10]through Christ, Truth, and thus is ready for victory inthe ennobling strife. The good fight must be fought bythose who keep the faith and finish their course. Mentalpurgation 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 buildsits 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 abelief of chronic or acute disease, by removing the causein that so-called mind the effect or disease will disappearand health will be restored; for health,aliasharmony, [25]is the normal manifestation of man in Science. Thedivine Principle which governs the universe, includingman, if demonstrated, is sufficient for all emergencies.But the practitioner may not always prove equal tobringing out the result of the Principle that he knows to [30]be true.[pg 042]After the change called death takes place, do we meet[1]those gone before?—or does life continue in thought onlyas 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, thismind is still in a conscious state of existence; and the in-dividual has but passed through a moment of extrememortal fear, to awaken with thoughts, and being, asmaterial as before. Science and Health clearly states [10]that spiritualization of thought is not attained by the deathof the body, but by a conscious union with God. Whenwe shall have passed the ordeal called death, or destroyedthis last enemy, and shall have come upon the same planeof conscious existence with those gone before, then we [15]shall be able to communicate with and to recognize them.
Chapter III. Questions And Answers.What do you consider to be mental malpractice? [1]Mental malpractice is a bland denial of Truth,and is the antipode of Christian Science. Tomentally argue in a manner that can disastrouslyaffect the happiness of a fellow-being—harm him [5]morally, physically, or spiritually—breaks the GoldenRule 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 tosay that such a subversion of right is not scientific. Its [10]claim to power is in proportion to the faith in evil, andconsequently to the lack of faith in good. Such falsefaith finds no place in, and receives no aid from, thePrinciple or the rules of Christian Science; for it deniesthe grand verity of this Science, namely, that God, good, [15]hasallpower.This leaves the individual no alternative but to re-linquish his faith in evil, or to argue against his ownconvictions of good and so destroy his power to be orto do good, because he has no faith in theomnipotence[20]of God, good. He parts with his understanding of good,in order to retain his faith in evil and so succeed with his[pg 032]wrong argument,—if indeed he desires success in this [1]broad road to destruction.How shall we demean ourselves towards the studentsof disloyal students? And what about that clergyman'sremarks on“Christ and Christmas”?[5]From this question, I infer that some of my studentsseem not to know in what manner they should act towardsthe students of false teachers, or such as have strayedfrom 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 inmy books, on this very subject.In Mark, ninth chapter, commencing at the thirty-third verse, you will find my views on this subject; lovealone is admissible towards friend and foe. My sym- [15]pathies extend to the above-named class of students morethan to many others. If I had the time to talk with allstudents 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 thetime and attention that they need,—and charity mustbegin 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 bejust, merciful; they should never envy, elbow, slander,hate, or try to injure, but always should try to bless theirfellow-mortals. [30]To the query in regard to some clergyman's com-[pg 033]ments on my illustrated poem, I will say: It is the righteous [1]prayer that avails with God. Whatever is wrong willreceive its own reward. The high priests of old causedthe crucifixion of even the great Master; and therebythey lost, and he won, heaven. I love all ministers and [5]ministries of Christ, Truth.All clergymen may not understand the illustrationsin“Christ and Christmas;”or that these refer not topersonality, but present the type and shadow of Truth'sappearing 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 behealed by it?This is a question that is being asked every day. Ithas 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, andfollow the directions given. Patients naturally gain con-fidence in Christian Science as they recognize the helpthey derive therefrom. [20]What are the advantages of your system of healing, overthe 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 ofall“the ills that flesh is heir to,”the antidote for sickness,as well as for sin, may and must be found in mortal mind'sopposite,—the divine Mind.Second: It is more effectual than drugs; curing where [30][pg 034]these fail, and leaving none of the harmful“after effects”[1]of these in the system; thus proving that metaphysicsis 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 mortalmind must be improved, before the body is renewedand harmonious,—since the physique is simply thoughtmade manifest.Is spiritualism or mesmerism included in Christian[10]Science?They are wholly apart from it. Christian Science isbased on divine Principle; whereas spiritualism, so faras I understand it, is a mere speculative opinion andhuman 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 morecome to those they have left, than we, in our present stateof 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 isim-mortal, and there is not a moment when he ceases toexist. All that are called“communications from spirits,”lie within the realm of mortal thought on this present planeof existence, and are the antipodes of Christian Science; [25]the immortal and mortal are as direct opposites as lightand darkness.Who is the Founder of mental healing?The author of“Science and Health with Key to theScriptures,”who discovered the Science of healing em- [30][pg 035]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; andsubsequently her recovery, through the supremacy ofMind over matter, from a severe casualty pronounced [5]by the physicians incurable, sealed that proof with thesignet of Christian Science. In 1883, a million of peo-ple acknowledge and attest the blessings of this mentalsystem of treating disease. Perhaps the followingwords of her husband, the late Dr. Asa G. Eddy, [10]afford the most concise, yet complete, summary of thematter:—“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 isone obliged to become a student under your personal in-struction? And if one is obliged to study under you, ofwhat 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 atcollege?You are benefited by reading Science and Health, butit 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 withKey to the Scriptures,”2Vol. I. page 14:“That which[pg 036]is erring, sinful, sick, and dying, termed material or [1]mortal man, is neither God's man nor Mind; but to beunderstood, we shall classify evil and error as mortalmind, in contradistinction to good and Truth, or theMind 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 onlycause is the eternal Mind, which is God, and there isbut one God. The ferocious mind seen in the beast is [10]mortal mind, which is harmful and proceeds not fromGod; for His beast is the lion that lieth down withthe lamb. Appetites, passions, anger, revenge, subtlety,are the animal qualities of sinning mortals; and thebeasts 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 immortalMind.What is the distinction between mortal mind and immortalMind?[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.”Mortalmind is an illusion; as much in our waking momentsas 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][pg 037]besides God, good. God would not be omnipotent if [1]there were in reality another mind creating or governingman or the universe.Immortal Mind is God; and this Mind is mademanifest in all thoughts and desires that draw man- [5]kind toward purity, health, holiness, and the spiritualfacts of being.Jesus recognized this relation so clearly that he said,“I and my Father are one.”In proportion as we opposethe 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 theanimal for the spiritual, and learn the meaning of thosewords of Jesus,“Go ye into all the world ... heal thesick.”[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, whichcorrects mortal thought, whence cometh all evil. Godcan and does destroy the thought that leads to moral [20]or physical death. Intemperance, impurity, sin of everysort, is destroyed by Truth. The appetite for alcoholyields to Science as directly and surely as do sicknessand 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 thelabor that Christian Science demands.[pg 038]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 oflife,—as this teaching certainly does,—is it un- [5]reasonable to expect in return something to supportone's self and a Cause? If so, our whole systemof education, secular and religious, is at fault, and theinstructors 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 yourcarnal things?”How happened you to establish a college to instruct inmetaphysics, when other institutions find little interest insuch a dry and abstract subject?[15]Metaphysics, as taught by me at the MassachusettsMetaphysical College, is far from dry and abstract. Itis a Science that has the animus of Truth. Its practicalapplication to benefit the race, heal the sick, enlightenand 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 hypotheticalfor 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 studentin order to cure his present disease, if this is whatyou mean. Were it so, the Science would be of less[pg 039]practical value. Many who apply for help are not [1]prepared to take a course of instruction in ChristianScience.To avoid beingsubjectto disease, would require theunderstanding of how you are healed. In 1885, this [5]knowledge can be obtained in its genuineness at theMassachusetts Metaphysical College. There are abroadat this early date some grossly incorrect and falseteachers of what they term Christian Science; of suchbeware. They have risen up in a day to make this claim; [10]whereas the Founder of genuine Christian Science hasbeen all her years in giving it birth.Can you take care of yourself?God giveth to every one thispuissance; and I havefaith in His promise,“Lo, I am with you alway”— [15]all the way. Unlike the M. D.'s, Christian Scientistsare not afraid to take their own medicine, for thismedicine is divine Mind; and from this saving, ex-haustless source they intend to fill the human mind withenough of the leaven of Truth to leaven the whole lump. [20]There may be exceptional cases, where one ChristianScientist who has more to meet than others needs supportat 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 mostobstructs the way?A Christian, or a Christian Scientist, assumes no morewhen claiming to work with God in healing the sick,than in converting the sinner. Divine help is as neces-[pg 040]sary in the one case as in the other. The scientific Prin- [1]ciple of healing demands such cooperation; but thisunison and its power would be arrested if one were tomix 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 aseffectual in destroying sickness as in the destructionof sin.It is often asked,“If Christian Science is the samemethod of healing that Jesus and the apostles used, [10]why do not its students perform as instantaneous curesas did those in the first century of the Christian era?”In some instances the students of Christian Scienceequal the ancient prophets as healers. All true healingis 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, discordof whatever sort. The reason that the same results fol-low not in every ease, is that the student does not inevery 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 possessthe spirit of Truth and Love, must gain the powerover sin in themselves, or they cannot be instantaneoushealers. [25]In this Christian warfare the student or practitionerhas to master those elements of evil too common to otherminds. If it is hate that is holding the purpose to killhis patient by mental means, it requires more divineunderstanding 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[pg 041]brute-force that only the cruel and evil can send forth, is [1]given vent in the diabolical practice of one who, havinglearned the power of liberated thought to do good, per-verts it, and uses it to accomplish an evil purpose. Thismental 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 thepower to heal, and destroys their own possibility ofprogressing.The honest student of Christian Science is purged [10]through Christ, Truth, and thus is ready for victory inthe ennobling strife. The good fight must be fought bythose who keep the faith and finish their course. Mentalpurgation 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 buildsits 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 abelief of chronic or acute disease, by removing the causein that so-called mind the effect or disease will disappearand health will be restored; for health,aliasharmony, [25]is the normal manifestation of man in Science. Thedivine Principle which governs the universe, includingman, if demonstrated, is sufficient for all emergencies.But the practitioner may not always prove equal tobringing out the result of the Principle that he knows to [30]be true.[pg 042]After the change called death takes place, do we meet[1]those gone before?—or does life continue in thought onlyas 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, thismind is still in a conscious state of existence; and the in-dividual has but passed through a moment of extrememortal fear, to awaken with thoughts, and being, asmaterial as before. Science and Health clearly states [10]that spiritualization of thought is not attained by the deathof the body, but by a conscious union with God. Whenwe shall have passed the ordeal called death, or destroyedthis last enemy, and shall have come upon the same planeof conscious existence with those gone before, then we [15]shall be able to communicate with and to recognize them.
Chapter III. Questions And Answers.What do you consider to be mental malpractice? [1]Mental malpractice is a bland denial of Truth,and is the antipode of Christian Science. Tomentally argue in a manner that can disastrouslyaffect the happiness of a fellow-being—harm him [5]morally, physically, or spiritually—breaks the GoldenRule 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 tosay that such a subversion of right is not scientific. Its [10]claim to power is in proportion to the faith in evil, andconsequently to the lack of faith in good. Such falsefaith finds no place in, and receives no aid from, thePrinciple or the rules of Christian Science; for it deniesthe grand verity of this Science, namely, that God, good, [15]hasallpower.This leaves the individual no alternative but to re-linquish his faith in evil, or to argue against his ownconvictions of good and so destroy his power to be orto do good, because he has no faith in theomnipotence[20]of God, good. He parts with his understanding of good,in order to retain his faith in evil and so succeed with his[pg 032]wrong argument,—if indeed he desires success in this [1]broad road to destruction.How shall we demean ourselves towards the studentsof disloyal students? And what about that clergyman'sremarks on“Christ and Christmas”?[5]From this question, I infer that some of my studentsseem not to know in what manner they should act towardsthe students of false teachers, or such as have strayedfrom 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 inmy books, on this very subject.In Mark, ninth chapter, commencing at the thirty-third verse, you will find my views on this subject; lovealone is admissible towards friend and foe. My sym- [15]pathies extend to the above-named class of students morethan to many others. If I had the time to talk with allstudents 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 thetime and attention that they need,—and charity mustbegin 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 bejust, merciful; they should never envy, elbow, slander,hate, or try to injure, but always should try to bless theirfellow-mortals. [30]To the query in regard to some clergyman's com-[pg 033]ments on my illustrated poem, I will say: It is the righteous [1]prayer that avails with God. Whatever is wrong willreceive its own reward. The high priests of old causedthe crucifixion of even the great Master; and therebythey lost, and he won, heaven. I love all ministers and [5]ministries of Christ, Truth.All clergymen may not understand the illustrationsin“Christ and Christmas;”or that these refer not topersonality, but present the type and shadow of Truth'sappearing 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 behealed by it?This is a question that is being asked every day. Ithas 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, andfollow the directions given. Patients naturally gain con-fidence in Christian Science as they recognize the helpthey derive therefrom. [20]What are the advantages of your system of healing, overthe 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 ofall“the ills that flesh is heir to,”the antidote for sickness,as well as for sin, may and must be found in mortal mind'sopposite,—the divine Mind.Second: It is more effectual than drugs; curing where [30][pg 034]these fail, and leaving none of the harmful“after effects”[1]of these in the system; thus proving that metaphysicsis 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 mortalmind must be improved, before the body is renewedand harmonious,—since the physique is simply thoughtmade manifest.Is spiritualism or mesmerism included in Christian[10]Science?They are wholly apart from it. Christian Science isbased on divine Principle; whereas spiritualism, so faras I understand it, is a mere speculative opinion andhuman 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 morecome to those they have left, than we, in our present stateof 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 isim-mortal, and there is not a moment when he ceases toexist. All that are called“communications from spirits,”lie within the realm of mortal thought on this present planeof existence, and are the antipodes of Christian Science; [25]the immortal and mortal are as direct opposites as lightand darkness.Who is the Founder of mental healing?The author of“Science and Health with Key to theScriptures,”who discovered the Science of healing em- [30][pg 035]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; andsubsequently her recovery, through the supremacy ofMind over matter, from a severe casualty pronounced [5]by the physicians incurable, sealed that proof with thesignet of Christian Science. In 1883, a million of peo-ple acknowledge and attest the blessings of this mentalsystem of treating disease. Perhaps the followingwords of her husband, the late Dr. Asa G. Eddy, [10]afford the most concise, yet complete, summary of thematter:—“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 isone obliged to become a student under your personal in-struction? And if one is obliged to study under you, ofwhat 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 atcollege?You are benefited by reading Science and Health, butit 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 withKey to the Scriptures,”2Vol. I. page 14:“That which[pg 036]is erring, sinful, sick, and dying, termed material or [1]mortal man, is neither God's man nor Mind; but to beunderstood, we shall classify evil and error as mortalmind, in contradistinction to good and Truth, or theMind 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 onlycause is the eternal Mind, which is God, and there isbut one God. The ferocious mind seen in the beast is [10]mortal mind, which is harmful and proceeds not fromGod; for His beast is the lion that lieth down withthe lamb. Appetites, passions, anger, revenge, subtlety,are the animal qualities of sinning mortals; and thebeasts 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 immortalMind.What is the distinction between mortal mind and immortalMind?[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.”Mortalmind is an illusion; as much in our waking momentsas 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][pg 037]besides God, good. God would not be omnipotent if [1]there were in reality another mind creating or governingman or the universe.Immortal Mind is God; and this Mind is mademanifest in all thoughts and desires that draw man- [5]kind toward purity, health, holiness, and the spiritualfacts of being.Jesus recognized this relation so clearly that he said,“I and my Father are one.”In proportion as we opposethe 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 theanimal for the spiritual, and learn the meaning of thosewords of Jesus,“Go ye into all the world ... heal thesick.”[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, whichcorrects mortal thought, whence cometh all evil. Godcan and does destroy the thought that leads to moral [20]or physical death. Intemperance, impurity, sin of everysort, is destroyed by Truth. The appetite for alcoholyields to Science as directly and surely as do sicknessand 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 thelabor that Christian Science demands.[pg 038]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 oflife,—as this teaching certainly does,—is it un- [5]reasonable to expect in return something to supportone's self and a Cause? If so, our whole systemof education, secular and religious, is at fault, and theinstructors 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 yourcarnal things?”How happened you to establish a college to instruct inmetaphysics, when other institutions find little interest insuch a dry and abstract subject?[15]Metaphysics, as taught by me at the MassachusettsMetaphysical College, is far from dry and abstract. Itis a Science that has the animus of Truth. Its practicalapplication to benefit the race, heal the sick, enlightenand 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 hypotheticalfor 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 studentin order to cure his present disease, if this is whatyou mean. Were it so, the Science would be of less[pg 039]practical value. Many who apply for help are not [1]prepared to take a course of instruction in ChristianScience.To avoid beingsubjectto disease, would require theunderstanding of how you are healed. In 1885, this [5]knowledge can be obtained in its genuineness at theMassachusetts Metaphysical College. There are abroadat this early date some grossly incorrect and falseteachers of what they term Christian Science; of suchbeware. They have risen up in a day to make this claim; [10]whereas the Founder of genuine Christian Science hasbeen all her years in giving it birth.Can you take care of yourself?God giveth to every one thispuissance; and I havefaith in His promise,“Lo, I am with you alway”— [15]all the way. Unlike the M. D.'s, Christian Scientistsare not afraid to take their own medicine, for thismedicine is divine Mind; and from this saving, ex-haustless source they intend to fill the human mind withenough of the leaven of Truth to leaven the whole lump. [20]There may be exceptional cases, where one ChristianScientist who has more to meet than others needs supportat 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 mostobstructs the way?A Christian, or a Christian Scientist, assumes no morewhen claiming to work with God in healing the sick,than in converting the sinner. Divine help is as neces-[pg 040]sary in the one case as in the other. The scientific Prin- [1]ciple of healing demands such cooperation; but thisunison and its power would be arrested if one were tomix 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 aseffectual in destroying sickness as in the destructionof sin.It is often asked,“If Christian Science is the samemethod of healing that Jesus and the apostles used, [10]why do not its students perform as instantaneous curesas did those in the first century of the Christian era?”In some instances the students of Christian Scienceequal the ancient prophets as healers. All true healingis 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, discordof whatever sort. The reason that the same results fol-low not in every ease, is that the student does not inevery 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 possessthe spirit of Truth and Love, must gain the powerover sin in themselves, or they cannot be instantaneoushealers. [25]In this Christian warfare the student or practitionerhas to master those elements of evil too common to otherminds. If it is hate that is holding the purpose to killhis patient by mental means, it requires more divineunderstanding 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[pg 041]brute-force that only the cruel and evil can send forth, is [1]given vent in the diabolical practice of one who, havinglearned the power of liberated thought to do good, per-verts it, and uses it to accomplish an evil purpose. Thismental 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 thepower to heal, and destroys their own possibility ofprogressing.The honest student of Christian Science is purged [10]through Christ, Truth, and thus is ready for victory inthe ennobling strife. The good fight must be fought bythose who keep the faith and finish their course. Mentalpurgation 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 buildsits 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 abelief of chronic or acute disease, by removing the causein that so-called mind the effect or disease will disappearand health will be restored; for health,aliasharmony, [25]is the normal manifestation of man in Science. Thedivine Principle which governs the universe, includingman, if demonstrated, is sufficient for all emergencies.But the practitioner may not always prove equal tobringing out the result of the Principle that he knows to [30]be true.[pg 042]After the change called death takes place, do we meet[1]those gone before?—or does life continue in thought onlyas 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, thismind is still in a conscious state of existence; and the in-dividual has but passed through a moment of extrememortal fear, to awaken with thoughts, and being, asmaterial as before. Science and Health clearly states [10]that spiritualization of thought is not attained by the deathof the body, but by a conscious union with God. Whenwe shall have passed the ordeal called death, or destroyedthis last enemy, and shall have come upon the same planeof conscious existence with those gone before, then we [15]shall be able to communicate with and to recognize them.
What do you consider to be mental malpractice? [1]
Mental malpractice is a bland denial of Truth,and is the antipode of Christian Science. Tomentally argue in a manner that can disastrouslyaffect the happiness of a fellow-being—harm him [5]morally, physically, or spiritually—breaks the GoldenRule 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 tosay that such a subversion of right is not scientific. Its [10]claim to power is in proportion to the faith in evil, andconsequently to the lack of faith in good. Such falsefaith finds no place in, and receives no aid from, thePrinciple or the rules of Christian Science; for it deniesthe grand verity of this Science, namely, that God, good, [15]hasallpower.
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]
hasallpower.
This leaves the individual no alternative but to re-linquish his faith in evil, or to argue against his ownconvictions of good and so destroy his power to be orto do good, because he has no faith in theomnipotence[20]of God, good. He parts with his understanding of good,in order to retain his faith in evil and so succeed with his
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 theomnipotence[20]
of God, good. He parts with his understanding of good,
in order to retain his faith in evil and so succeed with his
wrong argument,—if indeed he desires success in this [1]broad road to destruction.
wrong argument,—if indeed he desires success in this [1]
broad road to destruction.
How shall we demean ourselves towards the studentsof disloyal students? And what about that clergyman'sremarks on“Christ and Christmas”?[5]
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 studentsseem not to know in what manner they should act towardsthe students of false teachers, or such as have strayedfrom 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 inmy books, on this very subject.
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; lovealone is admissible towards friend and foe. My sym- [15]pathies extend to the above-named class of students morethan to many others. If I had the time to talk with allstudents 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 thetime and attention that they need,—and charity mustbegin at home.
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 bejust, merciful; they should never envy, elbow, slander,hate, or try to injure, but always should try to bless theirfellow-mortals. [30]
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-
To the query in regard to some clergyman's com-
ments on my illustrated poem, I will say: It is the righteous [1]prayer that avails with God. Whatever is wrong willreceive its own reward. The high priests of old causedthe crucifixion of even the great Master; and therebythey lost, and he won, heaven. I love all ministers and [5]ministries of Christ, Truth.
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 illustrationsin“Christ and Christmas;”or that these refer not topersonality, but present the type and shadow of Truth'sappearing in the womanhood as well as in the manhood [10]of God, our divine Father and Mother.
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 behealed by it?
Must I have faith in Christian Science in order to be
healed by it?
This is a question that is being asked every day. Ithas 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, andfollow the directions given. Patients naturally gain con-fidence in Christian Science as they recognize the helpthey derive therefrom. [20]
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, overthe ordinary methods of healing disease?
What are the advantages of your system of healing, over
the ordinary methods of healing disease?
Healing by Christian Science has the following advantages:—
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 ofall“the ills that flesh is heir to,”the antidote for sickness,as well as for sin, may and must be found in mortal mind'sopposite,—the divine Mind.
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]
Second: It is more effectual than drugs; curing where [30]
these fail, and leaving none of the harmful“after effects”[1]of these in the system; thus proving that metaphysicsis above physics.
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 mortalmind must be improved, before the body is renewedand harmonious,—since the physique is simply thoughtmade manifest.
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?
Is spiritualism or mesmerism included in Christian[10]
Science?
They are wholly apart from it. Christian Science isbased on divine Principle; whereas spiritualism, so faras I understand it, is a mere speculative opinion andhuman 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 morecome to those they have left, than we, in our present stateof 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 isim-mortal, and there is not a moment when he ceases toexist. All that are called“communications from spirits,”lie within the realm of mortal thought on this present planeof existence, and are the antipodes of Christian Science; [25]the immortal and mortal are as direct opposites as lightand darkness.
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 theScriptures,”who discovered the Science of healing em- [30]
The author of“Science and Health with Key to the
Scriptures,”who discovered the Science of healing em- [30]
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; andsubsequently her recovery, through the supremacy ofMind over matter, from a severe casualty pronounced [5]by the physicians incurable, sealed that proof with thesignet of Christian Science. In 1883, a million of peo-ple acknowledge and attest the blessings of this mentalsystem of treating disease. Perhaps the followingwords of her husband, the late Dr. Asa G. Eddy, [10]afford the most concise, yet complete, summary of thematter:—
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.”
“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 isone obliged to become a student under your personal in-struction? And if one is obliged to study under you, ofwhat benefit is your book?
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 atcollege?
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, butit is greatly to your advantage to be taught its Science [25]by the author of that work, who explains it in detail.
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?
What is immortal Mind?
In reply, we refer you to“Science and Health withKey to the Scriptures,”2Vol. I. page 14:“That which
In reply, we refer you to“Science and Health with
Key to the Scriptures,”2Vol. I. page 14:“That which
is erring, sinful, sick, and dying, termed material or [1]mortal man, is neither God's man nor Mind; but to beunderstood, we shall classify evil and error as mortalmind, in contradistinction to good and Truth, or theMind which is immortal.”[5]
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 onlycause is the eternal Mind, which is God, and there isbut one God. The ferocious mind seen in the beast is [10]mortal mind, which is harmful and proceeds not fromGod; for His beast is the lion that lieth down withthe lamb. Appetites, passions, anger, revenge, subtlety,are the animal qualities of sinning mortals; and thebeasts 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 immortalMind.
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 immortalMind?[20]
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.
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.”Mortalmind is an illusion; as much in our waking momentsas 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]
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]
besides God, good. God would not be omnipotent if [1]there were in reality another mind creating or governingman or the universe.
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 mademanifest in all thoughts and desires that draw man- [5]kind toward purity, health, holiness, and the spiritualfacts of being.
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 opposethe 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 theanimal for the spiritual, and learn the meaning of thosewords of Jesus,“Go ye into all the world ... heal thesick.”[15]
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?
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, whichcorrects mortal thought, whence cometh all evil. Godcan and does destroy the thought that leads to moral [20]or physical death. Intemperance, impurity, sin of everysort, is destroyed by Truth. The appetite for alcoholyields to Science as directly and surely as do sicknessand sin.
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]
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 thelabor that Christian Science demands.
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.
Why do you charge for teaching Christian Science, when[1]all the good we can do must be done freely?
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 oflife,—as this teaching certainly does,—is it un- [5]reasonable to expect in return something to supportone's self and a Cause? If so, our whole systemof education, secular and religious, is at fault, and theinstructors 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 yourcarnal things?”
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 inmetaphysics, when other institutions find little interest insuch a dry and abstract subject?[15]
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 MassachusettsMetaphysical College, is far from dry and abstract. Itis a Science that has the animus of Truth. Its practicalapplication to benefit the race, heal the sick, enlightenand 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 hypotheticalfor questions of practical import.
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?
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 studentin order to cure his present disease, if this is whatyou mean. Were it so, the Science would be of less
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
practical value. Many who apply for help are not [1]prepared to take a course of instruction in ChristianScience.
practical value. Many who apply for help are not [1]
prepared to take a course of instruction in Christian
Science.
To avoid beingsubjectto disease, would require theunderstanding of how you are healed. In 1885, this [5]knowledge can be obtained in its genuineness at theMassachusetts Metaphysical College. There are abroadat this early date some grossly incorrect and falseteachers of what they term Christian Science; of suchbeware. They have risen up in a day to make this claim; [10]whereas the Founder of genuine Christian Science hasbeen all her years in giving it birth.
To avoid beingsubjectto 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?
Can you take care of yourself?
God giveth to every one thispuissance; and I havefaith in His promise,“Lo, I am with you alway”— [15]all the way. Unlike the M. D.'s, Christian Scientistsare not afraid to take their own medicine, for thismedicine is divine Mind; and from this saving, ex-haustless source they intend to fill the human mind withenough of the leaven of Truth to leaven the whole lump. [20]There may be exceptional cases, where one ChristianScientist who has more to meet than others needs supportat times; then, it is right to bear“one another's burdens,and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
God giveth to every one thispuissance; 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 mostobstructs the way?
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 morewhen claiming to work with God in healing the sick,than in converting the sinner. Divine help is as neces-
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-
sary in the one case as in the other. The scientific Prin- [1]ciple of healing demands such cooperation; but thisunison and its power would be arrested if one were tomix 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 aseffectual in destroying sickness as in the destructionof sin.
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 samemethod of healing that Jesus and the apostles used, [10]why do not its students perform as instantaneous curesas did those in the first century of the Christian era?”
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 Scienceequal the ancient prophets as healers. All true healingis 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, discordof whatever sort. The reason that the same results fol-low not in every ease, is that the student does not inevery 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 possessthe spirit of Truth and Love, must gain the powerover sin in themselves, or they cannot be instantaneoushealers. [25]
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 practitionerhas to master those elements of evil too common to otherminds. If it is hate that is holding the purpose to killhis patient by mental means, it requires more divineunderstanding 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
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
brute-force that only the cruel and evil can send forth, is [1]given vent in the diabolical practice of one who, havinglearned the power of liberated thought to do good, per-verts it, and uses it to accomplish an evil purpose. Thismental 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 thepower to heal, and destroys their own possibility ofprogressing.
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 inthe ennobling strife. The good fight must be fought bythose who keep the faith and finish their course. Mentalpurgation 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.
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?
Can all classes of disease be healed by your method?
We answer, Yes. Mind is the architect that buildsits 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 abelief of chronic or acute disease, by removing the causein that so-called mind the effect or disease will disappearand health will be restored; for health,aliasharmony, [25]is the normal manifestation of man in Science. Thedivine Principle which governs the universe, includingman, if demonstrated, is sufficient for all emergencies.But the practitioner may not always prove equal tobringing out the result of the Principle that he knows to [30]be true.
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,aliasharmony, [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.
After the change called death takes place, do we meet[1]those gone before?—or does life continue in thought onlyas in a dream?
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, thismind is still in a conscious state of existence; and the in-dividual has but passed through a moment of extrememortal fear, to awaken with thoughts, and being, asmaterial as before. Science and Health clearly states [10]that spiritualization of thought is not attained by the deathof the body, but by a conscious union with God. Whenwe shall have passed the ordeal called death, or destroyedthis last enemy, and shall have come upon the same planeof conscious existence with those gone before, then we [15]shall be able to communicate with and to recognize them.
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.