When contemplating the majesty and magnitude of this query, it looked as if centuries of spiritual growth were requisite to enable me to elucidate or to dem- onstrate what I had discovered: but an unlooked-for, [10]
imperative call for help impelled me to begin this stu- pendous work at once, and teach the first student in Christian Science. Even as when an accident, called fatal to life, had driven me to discover the Science of Life, I again, in faith, turned to divine help,-and com- [15]
menced teaching.
My students at first practised in slightly differing forms. Although _I_ could heal mentally, without a sign save the immediate recovery of the sick, my students"
patients, and people generally, called for a sign-a ma- [20]
terial evidence wherewith to satisfy the sick that something was being done for them; and I said, "Suffer it to be so now," for thus saith our Master. Experience, however, taught me the impossibility of demonstrating the Science of metaphysical healing by any outward form [25]
of practice.
In April, 1883, a bill in equity was filed in the United States Circuit Court in Boston, to restrain, by decree and order of the Court, the unlawful publishing and use of an infringing pamphlet printed and issued by a student of [30]
Christian Science.
Answer was filed by the defendant, alleging that the
[Page 381.]
copyrighted works of Mrs. Eddy were not original with [1]
her, but had been copied by her, or by her direction, from ma.n.u.scripts originally composed by Dr. P. P.
Quimby.
Testimony was taken on the part of Mrs. Eddy, the [5]
defendant being present personally and by counsel. The time for taking testimony on the part of the defendant having nearly expired, he gave notice through his counsel that he should not put in testimony. Later, Mrs.
Eddy requested her lawyer to inquire of defendant"s [10]
counsel why he did not present evidence to support his claim that Dr. Quimby was the author of her writings!
Accordingly, her counsel asked the defendant"s counsel this question, and he replied, in substance, "There is no evidence to present." [15]
The stipulation for a judgment and a decree in favor of Mrs. Eddy was drawn up and signed by counsel.
It was ordered that the complainant (Mrs. Eddy) recover of the defendant her cost of suit, taxed at ($113.09) one hundred thirteen and 9/100 dollars. [20]
A writ of injunction was issued under the seal of the said Court, restraining the defendant from directly or indirectly printing, publishing, selling, giving away, distributing, or in any way or manner disposing of, the enjoined pamphlet, on penalty of ten thousand [25]
dollars.
The infringing books, to the number of thirty-eight hundred or thereabouts, were put under the edge of the knife, and their unlawful existence destroyed, in Boston, Ma.s.sachusetts. [30]
It has been written that "n.o.body can be both founder and discoverer of the same thing." If this declaration
[Page 382.]
were either a truism or a rule, my experience would [1]
contradict it and prove an exception.
No works on the subject of Christian Science existed, prior to my discovery of this Science. Before the publi- cation of my first work on this doctrine, a few manu- [5]
scripts of mine were in circulation. The discovery and founding of Christian Science has cost more than thirty years of unremitting toil and unrest; but, comparing those with the joy of knowing that the sinner and the sick are helped thereby, that time and eternity bear witness to [10]
this gift of G.o.d to the race, I am the debtor.
In the latter half of the nineteenth century I discov- ered the Science of Christianity, and restored the first patient healed in this age by Christian Science. I taught the first student in Christian Science Mind-healing; was [15]
author and publisher of the first books on this subject; obtained the first charter for the first Christian Science church, originated its form of government, and was its first pastor. I donated to this church the land on which in 1894 was erected the first church edifice of this denomination [20]
in Boston; obtained the first and only charter for a metaphysical medical college,-was its first and only president; was editor and proprietor of the first Christian Science periodical; organized the first Christian Scientist a.s.sociation, wrote its const.i.tution and by- [25]
laws,-as also the const.i.tution and by-laws of the National Christian Science a.s.sociation; and gave it _The Christian Science Journal_; inaugurated our denom- inational form of Sunday services, Sunday School, and so the entire system of teaching and practising Christian [30]
Science.
In 1895 I ordained that the Bible, and "Science and
[Page 383.]
Health with Key to the Scriptures," the Christian Science [1]
textbook, be the pastor, on this planet, of all the churches of the Christian Science denomination. This ordinance took effect the same year, and met with the universal ap- proval and support of Christian Scientists. Whenever [5]
and wherever a church of Christian Science is established, its pastor is the Bible and my book.
In 1896 it goes without saying, preeminent over igno- rance or envy, that Christian Science _is founded by its_ _discoverer_, and built upon the rock of Christ. The el- [10]
ements of earth beat in vain against the immortal parapets of this Science. Erect and eternal, it will go on with the ages, go down the dim posterns of time unharmed, and on every battle-field rise higher in the estimation of thinkers and in the hearts of Christians. [15]
CHAPTER XI. POEMS
[Page 384.]
Come Thou
Come, in the minstrel"s lay; [2]
When two hearts meet, And true hearts greet, And all is morn and May. [5]
Come Thou! and now, anew, To thought and deed Give sober speed, Thy will to know, and do.
Stay! till the storms are o"er- [10]
The cold blasts done, The reign of heaven begun, And Love, the evermore.
Be patient, waiting heart: Light, Love divine [15]
Is here, and thine; You therefore cannot part.
"The seasons come and go: Love, like the sea, Rolls on with thee,- [20]
But knows no ebb and flow.
[Page 385.]
"Faith, hope, and tears, triune, [1]
Above the sod Find peace in G.o.d, And one eternal noon."
Oh, Thou hast heard my prayer; [5]