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 pa.s.sion 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 sh.o.r.es. The most ad- vanced ideas are inscribed on tablets of such an organi- [25]
zation as the Victoria Inst.i.tute, or Philosophical Society of Great Britain, an inst.i.tution 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
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this system of religion,-widely known; and, by special [1]
invitation, have allowed myself to be elected an a.s.sociate life-member of the Victoria Inst.i.tute, which numbers among its const.i.tuents 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 n.o.ble 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 cla.s.ses 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 a.s.sociated 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 appet.i.tes 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!
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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 appet.i.te 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 l.u.s.t.
Trust Truth, not error; and Truth will give you all that belongs to the rights of freedom. The Hebrew bard
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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 d.a.m.nation 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 circ.u.mstances, in the same spiritual ignorance and power [10]
of pa.s.sion, 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 G.o.d"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?"