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.
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_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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d, good. He parts with his understanding of good, in order to retain his faith in evil and so succeed with his
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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 cla.s.s 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-
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ments on my ill.u.s.trated poem, I will say: It is the righteous [1]
prayer that avails with G.o.d. 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 ill.u.s.trations 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 G.o.d, 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]
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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 pa.s.s 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]
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bodied in her works. Years of practical proof, through [1]
h.o.m.opathy, 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 p.r.o.nounced [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?_