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CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

This age is reaching out towards the perfect Principle of things; is pushing towards perfection in art, invention, and manufacture. Why, then, should religion be stereotyped, and we not obtain a more perfect and practical Christianity? It will never do to be behind the times in things most essential, which proceed from the standard of right that regulates human destiny. Human skill but foreshadows what is next to appear as its divine origin. Proportionately as we part with material systems and theories, personal doctrines and dogmas, meekly to ascend the hill of Science, shell we reach the maximum of perfection in all things.

Spirit is omnipotent; hence a more spiritual Christianity will be one having more power, having perfected in Science that most important of all arts, -- healing.

Metaphysical healing, or Christian Science, is a demand of the times. Every man and every woman would desire and demand it, if he and she knew its infinite value and firm basis. The unerring and fixed Principle of all healing is God; and this Principle should be sought from the love of good, from the most spiritual and unselfish motives. Then will it be understood to be of God, and not of man; and this will prevent mankind from striking out promiscuously, teaching and practising in the name of Science without knowing its fundamental Principle.

It is important to know that a malpractice of the best system will result in the worst form of medicine. Moreover, the feverish, disgusting pride of those who call themselves metaphysicians or Scientists, -- but are such in name only, -- fanned by the breath of mental malpractice, is the death's-head at the feast of Truth; the monkey in harlequin jacket that will retard the onward march of life-giving Science, if not understood and withstood, and so strangled in its attempts.

The standard of metaphysical healing is introduced by thinking to put into the old garment of drugging the new cloth of metaphysics; or by trying to twist the fatal magnetic force of mortal mind, termed hypnotism, into a more fashionable cut and naming that "mind-cure," or -- which is still worse in the eyes of Truth -- terming it metaphysics! Substituting good words for a good life, fair-seeming four straightforward character, mental malpractice for the practice of true medicine, is a poor shift for the weak and worldly who think the standard of Christian Science too high for them.

What think you of a scientist in mathematics who finds fault with the exactness of the rule because unwilling to work hard enough to practise it? The perfection of the rule of Christian Science is what constitutes its utility: having a true standard, if some fall short, others will approach it; and these are they only who adhere to that standard.

Matter must be understood as a false belief or product of mortal mind: whence we learn that sensation is not in matter, but in this so-called mind; then we see and feel disease only by reason of our belief in it: then shall matter remain no longer to blind us in Spirit, and clog the wheels of progress. We spread our wings in vain when we attempt to mount above error by speculative views of Truth.

Love is the Principle of divine Science; and Love is not learned of the material senses, nor gained by a culpable attempt to seem what we have not listed ourselves to be, namely, a Christian. In love for man, we gain a true sense of Love as God; and in no other way can we reach this spiritual sense, and rise -- and still rise -- to things most essential and divine. What hinders man's progress is his vain conceit, the Phariseeism of the times, also his effort to steal from others and avoid hard work; errors which can never find a place in Science. Empirical knowledge is worse than useless: it never has advanced man a single step in the scale of being.

That one should have ventured on such unfamiliar ground, and, self-forgetful, should have gone on to establish this mighty system of metaphysical healing, called Christian Science, against such odds, -- even the entire current of mortality, -- is matter of grave wonderment to profound thinkers. That, in addition to this, she has made some progress, has seen far into the spiritual facts of being which constitute physical and mental perfection, in the midst of an age so sunken in sin and sensuality, seems to them still more inconceivable.

In this new departure of metaphysics, God is regarded more as absolute, supreme; and Christ is clad with a richer illumination as our Saviour from sickness, sin, and death. God's fatherliness as Life, Truth, and Love, makes His sovereignty glorious.

By this system, too, man has a changed recognition of his relation to God. He is no longer obliged to sin, be sick, and die to reach heaven, but is required and empowered to conquer sin, sickness, and death; thus, as image and likeness, to reflect Him who destroys death and Hell. By this reflection, man becomes the partaker of that Mind whence sprang the universe.

In Christian Science, progress is demonstration, not doctrine. This Science is ameliorative and regenerative, delivering mankind from all error through the light and love of Truth. It gives to the race loftier desires and new possibilities. It lays the axe the root of the tree of knowledge, to cut down all that bringeth not forth good fruit; "and blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." It touches mind to more spiritual issues, systematizes action, gives a keener sense of Truth and a stronger desire for it.

Hungering and thirsting after a better life, we shall have it, and become Christian Scientists; learn God aright, and know something of the ideal man, the real man, harmonious and eternal. This movement of thought must push on the ages: it must start the wheels of reason aright, educate the affections to higher resources, and leave Christianity unbiased by the superstitions of a senior period. INJUSTICE Who that has tried to follow the divine precept, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them," has not suffered from the situation?-- has not found that human passions in their reaction have misjudged motives?

Throughout our experience since undertaking the labor of uplifting the race, we have been made the repository of little else than the troubles, indiscretions, and errors of others; until thought has shrunk from contact with family difficulties, and become weary with study to counsel wisely whenever giving advice on personal topics.

To the child complaining of his parents we have said, "Love and honor thy parents, and yield obedience to them in all that is right; but you have the rights of conscience, as we all have, and must follow God in all your ways."

When yielding two constant solicitations of husband or wife to give, to one or the other, advice concerning difficulties and the best way to overcome them, we have done this to the best of our ability, -- and always with the purpose to restore harmony and prevent dishonor. In such cases we have said, "Take no counsel of a mortal, even though it be your best friend; but be guided by God alone;" meaning by this, Be not estranged from each other by anything that is said to you, but seek in divine Love the remedy for all human discord.

Yet, notwithstanding one's good intentions, in some way or at some step in one's efforts to help another, as a general rule, one will be blamed for all that is not right: but this must not deter us from doing our duty, whatever else may appear, and at whatever cost. REFORMERS The olden opinion that hell is fire and brimstone, has yielded somewhat to the metaphysical fact that suffering is a thing of mortal mind instead of body: so, in place of material flames and odor, mental anguish is generally accepted as the penalty for sin. This changed belief has wrought a change in the actions of men. Not a few individuals serve God (or try to) from fear; but remove that fear, and the worst of human passions belch forth their latent fires. Some people never repent until earth gives them such a cup of gall that conscience strikes home; then they are brought to realize how impossible it is to sin and not suffer. All the different phases of error in human nature the reformer must encounter and help to eradicate.

This period is not essentially one of conscience: few feel and live now as when this nation began, and our forefathers' prayers blended with the murmuring winds of their forest home. This is a period of doubt, inquiry, speculation, selfishness; of divided interests, marvellous good, and mysterious evil. But sin can only work out its own destruction; and reform does and must push on the growth of mankind.

Honor to faithful merit is delayed, and always has been; but it is sure to follow. The very streets through which Garrison was dragged were draped in honor of the dead hero who did the hard work, the immortal work, of loosing the fetters of one form of human slavery. I remember, when a girl, and he visited my father, how a childish fear clustered round his coming. I had heard the awful story that "he helped 'niggers' kill the white folks!" Even the loving children are sometimes made to believe a lie, and to hate reformers. It is pleasant, now, to contrast with that childhood's wrong the reverence of my riper years for all who dare to be true, honest to their convictions, and strong of purpose.

The reformer has no time to give in defense of his own life's incentive, since no sacrifice is too great for the silent endurance of his love. What has not unselfed love achieved for the race? All that ever was accomplished, and more than history has yet recorded. The reformer works on unmentioned, save when he is abused or his work is utilized in the interest of somebody. He may labor for the establishment of a cause which is fraught with infinite blessings, -- health, virtue, and heaven: but what of all that? Who should care for everybody? It is enough, say they, to care for a few. Yet the good done, and the love that foresees more to do, stimulate philanthropy, and are an ever-present reward. Let one's life answer well these questions, and it already hath a benediction:

Have you renounced self? Are you faithful? Do you love? MRS. EDDY SICK

The frequent public allegement that I am "sick, unable to speak a loud word," or that I died of palsy, and am dead, -- is but another evidence of the falsehoods kept constantly before the public.

While I accord these evil-mongers due credit for their desire, let me say to you, dear reader: Call at the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, in 1889, and judge for yourself whether I can talk -- and laugh too! I never was in better health. I have had but four days' vacation for the past year, and am about to commence a large class in Christian Science. Lecturing, writing, preaching, teaching, etc., give fair proof that my shadow is not growing less; and substance is taking larger proportions. I'VE GOT COLD

Out upon the sidewalk one winter morning, I observed a carriage draw off before a stately mansion; a portly gentleman alight, and take from this carriage the ominous hand-trunk.

"Ah!" thought I," Somebody has to take it; and what may the potion be?

Just then a tiny, sweet face appeared in the vestibule, and red nose, suffused eyes, cough, and tired look, told the story; but, looking up quaintly, the poor child said, --

"I've got cold, doctor."

Her apparent pride at sharing in a popular influenza was comical. However, her dividend, when compared with that of the household stockholders, was new; and doubtless their familiarity with what the stock paid, made them more serious over it.

What if that sweet child, so bravely confessing that she had something that she ought not to have, and which mamma thought must be gotten rid of, had been taught the value of saying even more bravely, and believing it, --

"I have not got cold."

Why, the doctor's squills and bills would have been avoided; and through the cold air the little one would have been bounding with sparkling eyes, and ruby cheeks painted and fattened by metaphysical hygiene.

Parents and doctors must not take the sweet freshness out of the children's lives by that flippant caution, "You will get cold."

Predicting danger does not dignify life, whereas forecasting liberty and joy does; for these are strong promoters of health and happiness. All education should contribute to moral and physical strength and freedom. If a cold could get into the body without the assent of mind, nature would take it out as gently, or let it remain as harmlessly, as it takes the frost out of the ground or puts it into the ice-cream to the satisfaction of all.

The sapling bends to the breeze, while the sturdy oak, with form and inclination fixed, breasts the tornado. It is easier to incline the early thought rightly, than the biased mind. Children not mistaught, naturally love God; for they are pure-minded, affectionate, and generally brave. Passions, appetites, pride, selfishness, have slight sway over the fresh, unbiased thought.

Teach the children early self-government, and teach them nothing that is wrong. If they see their father with a cigarette in his mouth -- suggest to them that the habit of smoking is not nice, and that nothing but a loathsome worm naturally chews tobacco. Likewise soberly inform them that "Battle-Axe Plug" takes off men's heads; or, leaving these on, that it takes from their bodies a sweet something which belongs to nature, -- namely, pure odors.

From a religious point of view, the faith of both youth and adult should centre as steadfastly in God to benefit the body, as to benefit the mind. Body and mind are correlated in man's salvation; for man will no more enter heaven sick then as a sinner, and Christ's Christianity casts out sickness as well as sin of every sort.

Test, if you will, metaphysical healing on two patients: one having morals to be healed, the other having a physical ailment. Use as your medicine the great alterative, Truth: give to the immoralist a mental dose that says, "You have no pleasure in sin," and witness the effects.

Either he will hate you, and try to make others do likewise, so taking a dose of error big enough apparently to neutralize your Truth, else he will doubtingly await the result; during which interim, by constant combat and direful struggles, you get the victory and Truth heals him of the moral malady.

On the other hand, to the bedridden suffer administer this alterartive Truth: "God never made you sick: there is no necessity for pain; and Truth destroys the error that insists on the necessity of any man's bondage to sin and sickness. 'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Then, like blind Bartimaeus, the doubting heart looks up through faith, and your patient rejoices in the gospel of health.

Thus, you see, it is easier to heal the physical than the moral ailment. When divine Truth and Love heal, of sin, the sinner who is at ease in sin, how much more should these heal, of sickness, the sick who are dis-eased, discomforted, and who long for relief! PRAYER AND HEALING

The article of Professor T --, having the above caption, published in Zion's Herald, December thrid, came not to my notice until January ninth. In it the professor offered me, as President of the Metaphysical College in Boston, or one of my students, the liberal sum of one thousand dollars if either would reset certain dislocations without the use of hands, and two thousand dollars if either would give sight to one born blind.

Will the gentleman accept my thanks due to his generosity; for, if I should accept his bid on Christianity, he would lose his money.

Why?

Because I performed more difficult tasks fifteen years ago. At present, I am in another department of Christian work, "where there shall no signs be given them," for they shall be instructed in the Principle of Christian Science that furnishes its own proof.

But, to reward his liberality, I offer him three thousand dollars if he will heal one single case of opium-eating where the patient is very low and taking morphine powder in its most concentrated form, at the rate of one ounce in two weeks, -- having taken it twenty years; and he is to cure that habit in three days, leaving the patient well. I cured precisely such a case in 1869.

Also Mr. C. M. H. --, of Boston, formally partner of George T. Brown, pharmacist, No. 5 Beacon St., will tell you that he was my student in December, 1884; and that before leaving the class he took a patient thoroughly addicted to the use of opium-- if she went without it twenty-four hours she would have delirium-- and in forty-eight hours cured her perfectly of this habit, with no bad results, but with decided improvement in health.

I have not yet made surgery one of the mental branches taught in my college; although students treat sprains, contusions, etc., successfully. In the case of sprain of the wrist joint, where the regular doctor had put on splints and bandages to remain six weeks, a student of mine removed these appliances the same day and effected the cure in less than one week. Reference, Mrs. M. A. F --, 107 Eutaw Street, East Boston.

I agree with the Professor, that every system of medicine claims more than it practises. If the system is Science, it includes of necessity the Principle, which the learner can demonstrate only in proportion as he understands it. Boasting is unbecoming a mortal's poor performances. My Christian students are proverbially modest: their works alone should declare them, since my system of medicine is not generally understood. There are charlatans in "mind-cure," who practise on the basis of matter, or human will, not Mind.

The Professor alludes to Paul's advice to Timothy. Did he refer to that questionable counsel, "Take a little wine for thy stomach's sake."? Even doctors disagree on that prescription: some of the medical faculty will tell you that alcoholic drinks cause the coats of the stomach to thicken and the organs to contract; will prevent the secretions of the gastric juice, and induce ulceration, bleeding, vomiting, death.

Again, the Professor quotes, in justification the material methods, and as veritable: "He took a bone from the side of Adam, closed up the wound thereof, and builded up the woman." (Gen. ii. 21.)

Here we have the Professor on the platform of Christian Science! even a "surgical operation" that he says was performed by divine power, -- Mind alone constructing the human system, before surgical instruments were invented, and closing the incisions of the flesh.

He further states that God cannot save the soul without compliance to ordained conditions. But, we ask, have those conditions named in Genesis been perpetuated in the multiplication of mankind? And, are the conditions of salvation mental, or physical; are they bodily penance and torture, or repentance and reform, which are the action of mind?

He asks, "Has the law been abrogated that demands the employment of visible agencies for specific ends?"

Will he accept my reply as derived from the life and teachings of Jesus? -- who annulled the so-called laws of matter by the higher law of Spirit, causing him to walk the wave, turn water into wine, make the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the dead to be raised without matter-agencies. And he did this for man's example; not to teach himself, but others, the way of healing and salvation. He said, "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold."

The teachings and demonstration of Jesus were for all peoples and for all time; not for a privileged class or restricted period, but for as many as should believe in him.

Are the discoverers of quinine, cocaine, etc., especially the children of our Lord because of their medical discoveries?

We have no record showing that our Master ever used, or recommended others to use, drugs; but we have his words, and the prophet's, as follows: "Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink?" "And Asa . . . sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers." VERITAS ODIUM PARIT

The combined efforts of the materialistic portion of the pulpit and press in 1885, to retard by misrepresentation the stately goings of Christian Science, are giving it new impetus and energy; calling forth the vox populi and directing more critical observation to its uplifting influence upon the health, morals, and spirituality of mankind.

Their movements indicate fear and weakness, a physical and spiritual need that Christian Science should remove with glorious results. The conclusion cannot now be pushed, that women have no rights that man is bound to respect. This is woman's hour, in all the good tendencies, charities, and reforms of to-day. It is difficult to say which may be most mischievous to the human heart, the praise or the dispraise of men.

I have loved the Church and followed it, thinking that it was following Christ; but, if the pulpit allows the people to go no further in the direction of Christlikeness, and rejects apostolic Christianity, seeking to stereotype infinite Truth, it is a thing to be thankful for that one can walk alone the straight and narrow way; that, in the words of Wendell Phillips, "one with God is a majority."

It is the pulpit and press, clerical robes and the prohibiting of free speech, that cradles and covers the sins of the world, -- all unmitigated systems of crime; and it requires the enlightenment of these worthies, through civil and religious reform, to blot out all inhuman codes. It was the Southern pulpit and press that influenced the people to wrench from man both human and divine rights, in order to subserve the interests of wealth, religious caste, civil and political power. And the pulpit had to be purged of that sin by human gore, -- when the love of Christ would have washed it divinely away in Christian Science!

The cry of the colored slave has scarcely been heard and hushed, when from another direction there comes another sharp cry of oppression. Another form of inhumanity lifts its hydra head to forge anew the old fetters; to shackle conscience, stop free speech, slander, vilify; to invite its prey, then turn and refuse the victim a solitary vindication in this most unprecedented warfare.

A conflict more terrible than the battle of Gettysburg awaits the crouching wrong that refused to yield its prey that peace of a desert, when a voice was heard crying in the wilderness, -- the spiritual famine of 1866, -- "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight."

Shall religious intolerance, arrayed against the rights of man, again deluge the earth in blood? The question at issue with mankind is: Shall we have a spiritual Christianity and a spiritual healing, or a materialistic religion and a materia medica?

The advancing faith and hope of Christianity, the earnest seeking after practical truth that shall cast out error and heal the sick, wisely demand for man his God given heritage, both human and divine rights; namely, that his honest convictions and proofs of advancing truth be allowed due consideration, and treated not as pearls trampled upon.

Those familiar with my history are more tolerant; those who know me, know that I found health in just what I teach. I have professed Christianity a half century; and now I calmly challenge the world, upon fair investigation, to furnish a single instance of departure in one of my works from the highest possible ethics.

The charges against my views are false, but natural, since those bringing them do not understand my statement of the Science I introduce, and are unwilling to be taught it, even gratuitously. If they did understand it, they could demonstrate the Science by healing the sick; hence the injustice of their interpretations.

To many, the healing force developed by Christian Science seems a mystery, because they do not understand that Spirit controls body. They acknowledge the existence of mortal mind, but believe it to reside in matter of the brain; but that man is the idea of infinite Mind, is not so easily accepted. That which is temporary seems, to the common estimate, solid and substantial. It is much easier for people to believe that the body affects mind, than that the body is an expression of mind, and reflects harmony or discord according to thought.

Everything that God created, He pronounced good. He never made sickness, Hence that is only an evil belief of mortal mind, which must be met, in every instance, with a denial by Truth.

This is the "new tongue," the language of them that "lay hands on the sick," and they shall recover," whose spiritual interpretation they refused to hear. For instance: the literal meaning of the passage, "lay hands on the sick" would be manipulation; its moral meaning, found in the "new tongue," is spiritual power, -- as, in another Scripture, "I will triumph in the works of Thy hands." LOVE What a word! I am in awe before it. Over what worlds on worlds it hath range and is sovereign! the underived, the incomparable, the infinite All of good, the alone God, is Love.

By what strange perversity is the best to become the most abused, -- either as a quality or as an entity? Mortals misrepresent and miscall affection; they make it what it is not, and doubt what it is. The so-called affection pursuing its victim is a butcher fattening the lamb to slay it. What the lower propensities express, should be repressed by the sentiments. No word is more misconstrued; no sentiment less understood. The divine significance of Love is distorted into human qualities, which in their human abandon become jealousy and hate.

Love is not something to put upon a shelf, to be taken down on rare occasions with sugar-tongs and laid on a rose-leaf. I make strong demands on love, call for active witnesses to prove it, and noble sacrifices and grand achievements as its results. Unless these appear, I cast aside the word as a sham and counterfeit, having no ring of the true metal. Love cannot be a mere abstraction, or goodness without activity and power. As a human quality, the glorious significance of affection is more than words: it is the tender, unselfish deed done in secret; the silent, ceaseless prayer; the self-forgetful heart that overflows; the veiled form stealing on an errand of mercy, out of a side door; the little feet tripping along the sidewalk; the gentle hand opening the door that turns toward want and woe, sickness and sorrow, and thus lighting the dark places of earth.