_Second_: It is more effectual than drugs; curing where [30]
[Page 34.]
these fail, and leaving none of the harmful "after effects" [1]
of these in the system; thus proving that metaphysics is above physics.
_Third:_ One who has been healed by Christian Sci- ence is not only healed of the disease, but is improved [5]
morally. The body is governed by mind; and mortal mind must be improved, before the body is renewed and harmonious,-since the physique is simply thought made manifest.
_Is spiritualism or mesmerism included in Christian_ [10]
_Science?_
They are wholly apart from it. Christian Science is based on divine Principle; whereas spiritualism, so far as I understand it, is a mere speculative opinion and human belief. If the departed were to communicate [15]
with us, we should see them as they were before death, and have them with us; after death, they can no more come to those they have left, than we, in our present state of existence, can go to the departed or the adult can re- turn to his boyhood. We may 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]
[Page 35.]
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?_
Why do we read the Bible, and then go to church to [20]
hear it expounded? Only because both are important.
Why do we read moral science, and then study it at college?
You are benefited by reading Science and Health, but it is greatly to your advantage to be taught its Science [25]
by the author of that work, who explains it in detail.
_What is immortal Mind?_
In reply, we refer you to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,"(2) Vol. I. page 14: "That which
[Page 36.]
is erring, sinful, sick, and dying, termed material or [1]
mortal man, is neither G.o.d"s man nor Mind; but to be understood, we shall cla.s.sify evil and error as mortal mind, in contradistinction to good and Truth, or the Mind which is immortal." [5]
_Do animals and beasts have a mind?_
Beasts, as well as men, express Mind as their origin; but they manifest less of Mind. The first and only cause is the eternal Mind, which is G.o.d, and there is but one G.o.d. The ferocious mind seen in the beast is [10]
mortal mind, which is harmful and proceeds not from G.o.d; for His beast is the lion that lieth down with the lamb. Appet.i.tes, pa.s.sions, anger, revenge, subtlety, are the animal qualities of sinning mortals; and the beasts that have these propensities express the lower [15]
qualities of the so-called animal man; in other words, the nature and quality of mortal mind,-not immortal Mind.
_What is the distinction between mortal mind and immortal_ _Mind?_ [20]
Mortal mind includes all evil, disease, and death; also, all beliefs relative to the so-called material laws, and all material objects, and the law of sin and death.
The Scripture says, "The carnal mind [in other words, mortal mind] is enmity against G.o.d; for it is not sub- [25]
ject to the law of G.o.d, 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 G.o.d, is an error; for there is no intelligent evil, and no power [30]
[Page 37.]
besides G.o.d, good. G.o.d would not be omnipotent if [1]
there were in reality another mind creating or governing man or the universe.
Immortal Mind is G.o.d; and this Mind is made manifest in all thoughts and desires that draw man- [5]
kind toward purity, health, holiness, and the spiritual facts of being.
Jesus recognized this relation so clearly that he said, "I and my Father are one." In proportion as we oppose the belief in material sense, in sickness, sin, and death, [10]
and recognize ourselves under the control of G.o.d, spiritual and immortal Mind, shall we go on to leave the animal for the spiritual, and learn the meaning of those words of Jesus, "Go ye into all the world ... heal the sick." [15]
_Can your Science cure intemperance?_
Christian Science lays the axe at the root of the tree.
Its antidote for all ills is G.o.d, the perfect Mind, which corrects mortal thought, whence cometh all evil. G.o.d 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 appet.i.te for alcohol yields to Science as directly and surely as do sickness and sin.
_Does Mrs. Eddy take patients?_ [25]
She now does not. Her time is wholly devoted to in- struction, leaving to her students the work of healing; which, at this hour, is in reality the least difficult of the labor that Christian Science demands.
[Page 38.]
_Why do you charge for teaching Christian Science, when_ [1]
_all the good we can do must be done freely?_
When teaching imparts the ability to gain and main- tain health, to heal and elevate man in every line of life,-as this teaching certainly does,-is it un- [5]
reasonable to expect in return something to support one"s self and a Cause? If so, our whole system of education, secular and religious, is at fault, and the instructors and philanthropists in our land should ex- pect no compensation. "If we have sown unto you [10]
spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?"
_How happened you to establish a college to instruct in_ _metaphysics, when other inst.i.tutions find little interest in_ _such a dry and abstract subject?_ [15]
Metaphysics, as taught by me at the Ma.s.sachusetts 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.