leaves the individual no alternative but to relinquish 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 of God, good. He parts with his understanding of good, in order to retain his faith in evil and so succeed with his wrong argument—if indeed he desires success in this 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”?
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; 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 sympathies extend to the above-named class 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 unfortunate seekers after Truth whose teacher is straying from the straight and narrow path. But I have not moments 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 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.
To the query in regard to some clergyman's comments on my illustrated poem, I will say: It is the righteous prayer that avails with God. 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 ministries of Christ, Truth.
All clergymen may not understand the illustrations 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 of God, 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 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 confidence in Christian Science as they recognize the help they derive therefrom.
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 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 these fail, and leaving none of the harmful “after effects” of these in the system; thus proving that metaphysics is above physics.
Third: One who has been healed by Christian Science is not only healed of the disease, but is improved 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 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 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 return to his boyhood. We may pass on to their state 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; 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 embodied in her works. Years of practical proof, through homœopathy, revealed to her the fact that Mind, instead of matter, is the Principle of pathology; and subsequently her recovery, through the supremacy of Mind over matter, from a severe casualty pronounced by the physicians incurable, sealed that proof with the signet of Christian Science. In 1883, a million of people 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, 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 at three dollars, teach its readers to heal the sick, or is one obliged, to become a student under your personal instruction? 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 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 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,”[1] Vol. I. page 14: “That which is erring, sinful, sick, and dying, termed material or mortal man, is neither God's man nor Mind; but to be understood, we shall classify evil and error as mortal mind, in contradistinction to good and Truth, or the Mind which is immortal.”
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 God, and there is but one God. The ferocious mind seen in the beast is mortal mind, which is harmful and proceeds not from God; for His beast is the lion that lieth down with the lamb. Appetites, passions, anger, revenge, subtlety, are the animal qualities of sinning mortals; and the beasts that have these propensities express the lower 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?
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 God; for it is not subject to the law of God, 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 God,
