RETROSPECTION AND INTROSPECTION BY MARY BAKER EDDY AUTHOR OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES Registered U. S. Patent Office Published by The Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker G. Eddy BOSTON, U. S. A. Authorized Literature of THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST in Boston, Massachusetts _Copyright, 1891, 1892_ BY MARY BAKER G. EDDY Copyright renewed 1919 and 1920 _All rights reserved_ PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONTENTS ANCESTRAL SHADOWS AUTOBIOGRAPHIC REMINISCENCES VOICES NOT OUR OWN EARLY STUDIES GIRLHOOD COMPOSITION THEOLOGICAL REMINISCENCE THE COUNTRY-SEAT (POEM) MARRIAGE AND PARENTAGE EMERGENCE INTO LIGHT THE GREAT DISCOVERY FOUNDATION WORK MEDICAL EXPERIMENTS FIRST PUBLICATION THE PRECIOUS VOLUME RECUPERATIVE INCIDENT A TRUE MAN COLLEGE AND CHURCH "FEED MY SHEEP" (POEM) COLLEGE CLOSED GENERAL ASSOCIATIONS AND OUR MAGAZINE FAITH-CURE FOUNDATION-STONES THE GREAT REVELATION SIN, SINNER, AND ECCLESIASTICISM THE HUMAN CONCEPT PERSONALITY PLAGIARISM ADMONITION EXEMPLIFICATION WAYMARKS RETROSPECTION AND INTROSPECTION ANCESTRAL SHADOWS My ancestors, according to the flesh, were from both Scotland and England, my great-grandfather, on my father's side, being John McNeil of Edinburgh. His wife, my great-grandmother, was Marion Moor, and her family is said tohave been in some way related to Hannah More, the pious and popular Englishauthoress of a century ago. I remember reading, in my childhood, certain manuscripts containingScriptural sonnets, besides other verses and enigmas which my grandmothersaid were written by my great-grandmother. But because my great-grandmotherwrote a stray sonnet and an occasional riddle, it was no sign that sheinherited a spark from Hannah More, or was her relative. John and Marion Moor McNeil had a daughter, who perpetuated her mother'sname. This second Marion McNeil in due time was married to an Englishman, named Joseph Baker, and so became my paternal grandmother, the Scotch andEnglish elements thus mingling in her children. Mrs. Marion McNeil Baker was reared among the Scotch Covenanters, and hadin her character that sturdy Calvinistic devotion to Protestant libertywhich gave those religionists the poetic daring and pious picturesquenesswhich we find so graphically set forth in the pages of Sir Walter Scott andin John Wilson's sketches. Joseph Baker and his wife, Marion McNeil, came to America seeking "freedomto worship God;" though they could hardly have crossed the Atlantic morethan a score of years prior to the Revolutionary period. With them they brought to New England a heavy sword, encased in a brassscabbard, on which was inscribed the name of a kinsman upon whom the weaponhad been bestowed by Sir William Wallace, from whose patriotism and braverycomes that heart-stirring air, "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled. " My childhood was also gladdened by one of my Grandmother Baker's books, printed in olden type and replete with the phraseology current in theseventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Among grandmother's treasures were some newspapers, yellow with age. Someof these, however, were not very ancient, nor had they crossed the ocean;for they were American newspapers, one of which contained a full account ofthe death and burial of George Washington. A relative of my Grandfather Baker was General Henry Knox of Revolutionaryfame. I was fond of listening, when a child, to grandmother's stories aboutGeneral Knox, for whom she cherished a high regard. In the line of my Grandmother Baker's family was the late Sir JohnMacneill, a Scotch knight, who was prominent in British politics, and atone time held the position of ambassador to Persia. My grandparents were likewise connected with Capt. John Lovewell ofDunstable, New Hampshire, whose gallant leadership and death, in the Indiantroubles of 1722-1725, caused that prolonged contest to be knownhistorically as Lovewell's War. A cousin of my grandmother was John Macneil, the New Hampshire general whofought at Lundy's Lane, and won distinction in 1814 at the neighboringbattle of Chippewa, towards the close of the War of 1812. AUTOBIOGRAPHIC REMINISCENCES This venerable grandmother had thirteen children, the youngest of whom wasmy father, Mark Baker, who inherited the homestead, and with his brother, James Baker, he inherited my grandfather's farm of about five hundredacres, lying in the adjoining towns of Concord and Bow, in the State of NewHampshire. One hundred acres of the old farm are still cultivated and owned by UncleJames Baker's grandson, brother of the Hon. Henry Moore Baker ofWashington, D. C. The farm-house, situated on the summit of a hill, commanded a broadpicturesque view of the Merrimac River and the undulating lands of threetownships. But change has been busy. Where once stretched broad fields ofbending grain waving gracefully in the sunlight, and orchards of apples, peaches, pears, and cherries shone richly in the mellow hues ofautumn, --now the lone night-bird cries, the crow caws cautiously, andwandering winds sigh low requiems through dark pine groves. Where greenpastures bright with berries, singing brooklets, beautiful wild flowers, and flecked with large flocks and herds, covered areas of rich acres, --nowthe scrub-oak, poplar, and fern flourish. The wife of Mark Baker was Abigail Barnard Ambrose, daughter of DeaconNathaniel Ambrose of Pembroke, a small town situated near Concord, justacross the bridge, on the left bank of the Merrimac River. Grandfather Ambrose was a very religious man, and gave the money forerecting the first Congregational Church in Pembroke. In the Baker homestead at Bow I was born, the youngest of my parents' sixchildren and the object of their tender solicitude. During my childhood my parents removed to Tilton, eighteen miles fromConcord, and there the family remained until the names of both father andmother were inscribed on the stone memorials in the Park Cemetery of thatbeautiful village. My father possessed a strong intellect and an iron will. Of my mother Icannot speak as I would, for memory recalls qualities to which the pen cannever do justice. The following is a brief extract from the eulogy of theRev. Richard S. Rust, D. D. , who for many years had resided in Tilton andknew my sainted mother in all the walks of life. The character of Mrs. Abigail Ambrose Baker was distinguished for numerous excellences. She possessed a strong intellect, a sympathizing heart, and a placid spirit. Her presence, like the gentle dew and cheerful light, was felt by all around her. She gave an elevated character to the tone of conversation in the circles in which she moved, and directed attention to themes at once pleasing and profitable. As a mother, she was untiring in her efforts to secure the happiness of her family. She ever entertained a lively sense of the parental obligation, especially in regard to the education of her children. The oft-repeated impressions of that sainted spirit, on the hearts of those especially entrusted to her watch-care, can never be effaced, and can hardly fail to induce them to follow her to the brighter world. Her life was a living illustration of Christian faith. My childhood's home I remember as one with the open hand. The needy wereever welcome, and to the clergy were accorded special household privileges. Among the treasured reminiscences of my much respected parents, brothers, and sisters, is the memory of my second brother, Albert Baker, who was, next to my mother, the very dearest of my kindred. To speak of hisbeautiful character as I cherish it, would require more space than thislittle book can afford. My brother Albert was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1834, and wasreputed one of the most talented, close, and thorough scholars everconnected with that institution. For two or three years he read law atHillsborough, in the office of Franklin Pierce, afterwards President of theUnited States; but later Albert spent a year in the office of the Hon. Richard Fletcher of Boston. He was consequently admitted to the bar in twoStates, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In 1837 he succeeded to thelaw-office which Mr. Pierce had occupied, and was soon elected to theLegislature of his native State, where he served the public interestsfaithfully for two consecutive years. Among other important bills whichwere carried through the Legislature by his persistent energy was one forthe abolition of imprisonment for debt. In 1841 he received further political preferment, by nomination toCongress on a majority vote of seven thousand, --it was the largest vote ofthe State; but he passed away at the age of thirty-one, after a shortillness, before his election. His noble political antagonist, the Hon. Isaac Hill, of Concord, wrote of my brother as follows:-- Albert Baker was a young man of uncommon promise. Gifted with the highest order of intellectual powers, he trained and schooled them by intense and almost incessant study throughout his short life. He was fond of investigating abstruse and metaphysical principles, and he never forsook them until he had explored their every nook and corner, however hidden and remote. Had life and health been spared to him, he would have made himself one of the most distinguished men in the country. As a lawyer he was able and learned, and in the successful practice of a very large business. He was noted for his boldness and firmness, and for his powerful advocacy of the side he deemed right. His death will be deplored, with the most poignant grief, by a large number of friends, who expected no more than they realized from his talents and acquirements. This sad event will not be soon forgotten. It blights too many hopes; it carries with it too much of sorrow and loss. It is a public calamity. VOICES NOT OUR OWN Many peculiar circumstances and events connected with my childhood throngthe chambers of memory. For some twelve months, when I was about eightyears old, I repeatedly heard a voice, calling me distinctly by name, threetimes, in an ascending scale. I thought this was my mother's voice, andsometimes went to her, beseeching her to tell me what she wanted. Heranswer was always, "Nothing, child! What do you mean?" Then I would say, "Mother, who _did_ call me? I heard somebody call _Mary_, three times!"This continued until I grew discouraged, and my mother was perplexed andanxious. One day, when my cousin, Mehitable Huntoon, was visiting us, and I sat in alittle chair by her side, in the same room with grandmother, --the callagain came, so loud that Mehitable heard it, though I had ceased to noticeit. Greatly surprised, my cousin turned to me and said, "Your mother iscalling you!" but I answered not, till again the same call was thricerepeated. Mehitable then said sharply, "Why don't you go? your mother iscalling you!" I then left the room, went to my mother, and once more askedher if she had summoned me? She answered as always before. Then I earnestlydeclared my cousin had heard the voice, and said that mother wanted me. Accordingly she returned with me to grandmother's room, and led my cousininto an adjoining apartment. The door was ajar, and I listened with batedbreath. Mother told Mehitable all about this mysterious voice, and asked ifshe really did hear Mary's name pronounced in audible tones. My cousinanswered quickly, and emphasized her affirmation. That night, before going to rest, my mother read to me the Scripturalnarrative of little Samuel, and bade me, when the voice called again, toreply as he did, "Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth. " The voice came;but I was afraid, and did not answer. Afterward I wept, and prayed that Godwould forgive me, resolving to do, next time, as my mother had bidden me. When the call came again I did answer, in the words of Samuel, but neveragain to the material senses was that mysterious call repeated. Is it not much that I may worship Him, With naught my spirit's breathings to control, And feel His presence in the vast and dim And whispering woods, where dying thunders roll From the far cataracts? Shall I not rejoice That I have learned at last to know His voice From man's?--I will rejoice! My soaring soul Now hath redeemed her birthright of the day, And won, through clouds, to Him, her own unfettered way! --MRS. HEMANS. EARLY STUDIES My father was taught to believe that my brain was too large for my body andso kept me much out of school, but I gained book-knowledge with far lesslabor than is usually requisite. At ten years of age I was as familiar withLindley Murray's Grammar as with the Westminster Catechism; and the latterI had to repeat every Sunday. My favorite studies were natural philosophy, logic, and moral science. From my brother Albert I received lessons in theancient tongues, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. My brother studied Hebrew duringhis college vacations. After my discovery of Christian Science, most of theknowledge I had gleaned from schoolbooks vanished like a dream. Learning was so illumined, that grammar was eclipsed. Etymology was divinehistory, voicing the idea of God in man's origin and signification. Syntaxwas spiritual order and unity. Prosody, the song of angels, and no earthlyor inglorious theme. GIRLHOOD COMPOSITION From childhood I was a verse-maker. Poetry suited my emotions better thanprose. The following is one of my girlhood productions. ALPHABET AND BAYONET If fancy plumes aerial flight, Go fix thy restless mind On learning's lore and wisdom's might, And live to bless mankind. The sword is sheathed, 'tis freedom's hour, No despot bears misrule, Where knowledge plants the foot of power In our God-blessed free school. Forth from this fount the streamlets flow, That widen in their course. Hero and sage arise to show Science the mighty source, And laud the land whose talents rock The cradle of her power, And wreaths are twined round Plymouth Rock, From erudition's bower. Farther than feet of chamois fall, Free as the generous air, Strains nobler far than clarion call Wake freedom's welcome, where Minerva's silver sandals still Are loosed, and not effete; Where echoes still my day-dreams thrill, Woke by her fancied feet. THEOLOGICAL REMINISCENCE At the age of twelve[A] I was admitted to the Congregational (Trinitarian)Church, my parents having been members of that body for a half-century. Inconnection with this event, some circumstances are noteworthy. Before thisstep was taken, the doctrine of unconditional election, or predestination, greatly troubled me; for I was unwilling to be saved, if my brothers andsisters were to be numbered among those who were doomed to perpetualbanishment from God. So perturbed was I by the thoughts aroused by thiserroneous doctrine, that the family doctor was summoned, and pronounced mestricken with fever. My father's relentless theology emphasized belief in a final judgment-day, in the danger of endless punishment, and in a Jehovah merciless towardsunbelievers; and of these things he now spoke, hoping to win me fromdreaded heresy. My mother, as she bathed my burning temples, bade me lean on God's love, which would give me rest, if I went to Him in prayer, as I was wont to do, seeking His guidance. I prayed; and a soft glow of ineffable joy came overme. The fever was gone, and I rose and dressed myself, in a normalcondition of health. Mother saw this, and was glad. The physicianmarvelled; and the "horrible decree" of predestination--as John Calvinrightly called his own tenet--forever lost its power over me. When the meeting was held for the examination of candidates for membership, I was of course present. The pastor was an old-school expounder of thestrictest Presbyterian doctrines. He was apparently as eager to haveunbelievers in these dogmas lost, as he was to have elect believersconverted and rescued from perdition; for both salvation and condemnationdepended, according to his views, upon the good pleasure of infinite Love. However, I was ready for his doleful questions, which I answered without atremor, declaring that never could I unite with the church, if assent tothis doctrine was essential thereto. Distinctly do I recall what followed. I stoutly maintained that I waswilling to trust God, and take my chance of spiritual safety with mybrothers and sisters, --not one of whom had then made any profession ofreligion, --even if my creedal doubts left me outside the doors. Theminister then wished me to tell him when I had experienced a change ofheart; but tearfully I had to respond that I could not designate anyprecise time. Nevertheless he persisted in the assertion that I _had_ beentruly regenerated, and asked me to say how I felt when the new light dawnedwithin me. I replied that I could only answer him in the words of thePsalmist: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know mythoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the wayeverlasting. " This was so earnestly said, that even the oldest church-members wept. Afterthe meeting was over they came and kissed me. To the astonishment of many, the good clergyman's heart also melted, and he received me into theircommunion, and my protest along with me. My connection with this religiousbody was retained till I founded a church of my own, built on the basis ofChristian Science, "Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. " In confidence of faith, I could say in David's words, "I will go in thestrength of the Lord God: I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even ofThine only. O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have Ideclared Thy wondrous works. " (Psalms lxxi. 16, 17. ) In the year 1878 I was called to preach in Boston at the Baptist Tabernacleof Rev. Daniel C. Eddy, D. D. , --by the pastor of this church. I accepted theinvitation and commenced work. The congregation so increased in number the pews were not sufficient toseat the audience and benches were used in the aisles. At the close of myengagement we parted in Christian fellowship, if not in full unity ofdoctrine. Our last vestry meeting was made memorable by eloquent addresses frompersons who feelingly testified to having been healed through my preaching. Among other diseases cured they specified cancers. The cases described hadbeen treated and given over by physicians of the popular schools ofmedicine, but I had not heard of these cases till the persons who divulgedtheir secret joy were healed. A prominent churchman agreeably informed thecongregation that many others present had been healed under my preaching, but were too timid to testify in public. One memorable Sunday afternoon, a soprano, --clear, strong, sympathetic, --floating up from the pews, caught my ear. When the meetingwas over, two ladies pushing their way through the crowd reached theplatform. With tears of joy flooding her eyes--for she was a mother--one ofthem said, "Did you hear my daughter sing? Why, she has not sung beforesince she left the choir and was in consumption! When she entered thischurch one hour ago she could not speak a loud word, and now, oh, thankGod, she is healed!" It was not an uncommon occurrence in my own church for the sick to behealed by my sermon. Many pale cripples went into the church leaning oncrutches who went out carrying them on their shoulders. "And these signsshall follow them that believe. " The charter for The Mother Church in Boston was obtained June, 1879, [B] andthe same month the members, twenty-six in number, extended a call to MaryB. G. Eddy to become their pastor. She accepted the call, and was ordainedA. D. 1881. THE COUNTRY-SEAT Written in youth, while visiting a family friend in the beautiful suburbsof Boston. Wild spirit of song, --midst the zephyrs at play In bowers of beauty, --I bend to thy lay, And woo, while I worship in deep sylvan spot, The Muses' soft echoes to kindle the grot. Wake chords of my lyre, with musical kiss, To vibrate and tremble with accents of bliss. Here morning peers out, from her crimson repose, On proud Prairie Queen and the modest Moss-rose; And vesper reclines--when the dewdrop is shed On the heart of the pink--in its odorous bed; But Flora has stolen the rainbow and sky, To sprinkle the flowers with exquisite dye. Here fame-honored hickory rears his bold form, And bares a brave breast to the lightning and storm, While palm, bay, and laurel, in classical glee, Chase tulip, magnolia, and fragrant fringe-tree; And sturdy horse-chestnut for centuries hath given Its feathery blossom and branches to heaven. Here is life! Here is youth! Here the poet's world-wish, -- Cool waters at play with the gold-gleaming fish; While cactus a mellower glory receives From light colored softly by blossom and leaves; And nestling alder is whispering low, In lap of the pear-tree, with musical flow. [C] Dark sentinel hedgerow is guarding repose, Midst grotto and songlet and streamlet that flows Where beauty and perfume from buds burst away, And ope their closed cells to the bright, laughing day; Yet, dwellers in Eden, earth yields you her tear, -- Oft plucked for the banquet, but laid on the bier. Earth's beauty and glory delude as the shrine Or fount of real joy and of visions divine; But hope, as the eaglet that spurneth the sod, May soar above matter, to fasten on God, And freely adore all His spirit hath made, Where rapture and radiance and glory ne'er fade. Oh, give me the spot where affection may dwell In sacred communion with home's magic spell! Where flowers of feeling are fragrant and fair, And those we most love find a happiness rare; But clouds are a presage, --they darken my lay: This life is a shadow, and hastens away. MARRIAGE AND PARENTAGE In 1843 I was united to my first husband, Colonel George Washington Gloverof Charleston, South Carolina, the ceremony taking place under the paternalroof in Tilton. After parting with the dear home circle I went with him to the South; buthe was spared to me for only one brief year. He was in Wilmington, NorthCarolina, on business, when the yellow-fever raged in that city, and wassuddenly attacked by this insidious disease, which in his case provedfatal. My husband was a freemason, being a member in Saint Andrew's Lodge, Number10, and of Union Chapter, Number 3, of Royal Arch masons. He was highlyesteemed and sincerely lamented by a large circle of friends andacquaintances, whose kindness and sympathy helped to support me in thisterrible bereavement. A month later I returned to New Hampshire, where, atthe end of four months, my babe was born. Colonel Glover's tender devotion to his young bride was remarked by allobservers. With his parting breath he gave pathetic directions to hisbrother masons about accompanying her on her sad journey to the North. Hereit is but justice to record, they performed their obligations mostfaithfully. After returning to the paternal roof I lost all my husband's property, except what money I had brought with me; and remained with my parents untilafter my mother's decease. A few months before my father's second marriage, to Mrs. ElizabethPatterson Duncan, sister of Lieutenant-Governor George W. Patterson of NewYork, my little son, about four years of age, was sent away from me, andput under the care of our family nurse, who had married, and resided in thenorthern part of New Hampshire. I had no training for self-support, and myhome I regarded as very precious. The night before my child was taken fromme, I knelt by his side throughout the dark hours, hoping for a vision ofrelief from this trial. The following lines are taken from my poem, "Mother's Darling, " written after this separation:-- Thy smile through tears, as sunshine o'er the sea, Awoke new beauty in the surge's roll! Oh, life is dead, bereft of all, with thee, -- Star of my earthly hope, babe of my soul. My second marriage was very unfortunate, and from it I was compelled to askfor a bill of divorce, which was granted me in the city of Salem, Massachusetts. My dominant thought in marrying again was to get back my child, but afterour marriage his stepfather was not willing he should have a home with me. A plot was consummated for keeping us apart. The family to whose care hewas committed very soon removed to what was then regarded as the Far West. After his removal a letter was read to my little son, informing him thathis mother was dead and buried. Without my knowledge a guardian wasappointed him, and I was then informed that my son was lost. Every meanswithin my power was employed to find him, but without success. We never metagain until he had reached the age of thirty-four, had a wife and twochildren, and by a strange providence had learned that his mother stilllived, and came to see me in Massachusetts. Meanwhile he had served as a volunteer throughout the war for the Union, and at its expiration was appointed United States Marshal of the Territoryof Dakota. It is well to know, dear reader, that our material, mortal history is butthe record of dreams, not of man's real existence, and the dream has noplace in the Science of being. It is "as a tale that is told, " and "as theshadow when it declineth. " The heavenly intent of earth's shadows is tochasten the affections, to rebuke human consciousness and turn it gladlyfrom a material, false sense of life and happiness, to spiritual joy andtrue estimate of being. The awakening from a false sense of life, substance, and mind in matter, isas yet imperfect; but for those lucid and enduring lessons of Love whichtend to this result, I bless God. Mere historic incidents and personal events are frivolous and of no moment, unless they illustrate the ethics of Truth. To this end, but only to thisend, such narrations may be admissible and advisable; but if spiritualconclusions are separated from their premises, the _nexus_ is lost, and theargument, with its rightful conclusions, becomes correspondingly obscure. The human history needs to be revised, and the material record expunged. The Gospel narratives bear brief testimony even to the life of our greatMaster. His spiritual noumenon and phenomenon silenced portraiture. Writersless wise than the apostles essayed in the Apocryphal New Testament alegendary and traditional history of the early life of Jesus. But St. Paulsummarized the character of Jesus as the model of Christianity, in thesewords: "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners againsthimself. " "Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne ofGod. " It may be that the mortal life-battle still wages, and must continue tillits involved errors are vanquished by victory-bringing Science; but thistriumph will come! God is over all. He alone is our origin, aim, and being. The real man is not of the dust, nor is he ever created through the flesh;for his father and mother are the one Spirit, and his brethren are all thechildren of one parent, the eternal good. EMERGENCE INTO LIGHT The trend of human life was too eventful to leave me undisturbed in theillusion that this so-called life could be a real and abiding rest. Allthings earthly must ultimately yield to the irony of fate, or else bemerged into the one infinite Love. As these pungent lessons became clearer, they grew sterner. Previously thecloud of mortal mind seemed to have a silver lining; but now it was noteven fringed with light. Matter was no longer spanned with its rainbow ofpromise. The world was dark. The oncoming hours were indicated by no floraldial. The senses could not prophesy sunrise or starlight. Thus it was when the moment arrived of the heart's bridal to more spiritualexistence. When the door opened, I was waiting and watching; and, lo, thebridegroom came! The character of the Christ was illuminated by themidnight torches of Spirit. My heart knew its Redeemer. He whom myaffections had diligently sought was as the One "altogether lovely, " as"the chiefest, " the only, "among ten thousand. " Soulless famine had fled. Agnosticism, pantheism, and theosophy were void. Being was beautiful, itssubstance, cause, and currents were God and His idea. I had touched the hemof Christian Science. THE GREAT DISCOVERY It was in Massachusetts, in February, 1866, and after the death of themagnetic doctor, Mr. P. P. Quimby, whom spiritualists would associatetherewith, but who was in no wise connected with this event, that Idiscovered the Science of divine metaphysical healing which I afterwardsnamed Christian Science. The discovery came to pass in this way. Duringtwenty years prior to my discovery I had been trying to trace all physicaleffects to a mental cause; and in the latter part of 1866 I gained thescientific certainty that all causation was Mind, and every effect a mentalphenomenon. My immediate recovery from the effects of an injury caused by an accident, an injury that neither medicine nor surgery could reach, was the fallingapple that led me to the discovery how to be well myself, and how to makeothers so. Even to the homoeopathic physician who attended me, and rejoiced in myrecovery, I could not then explain the _modus_ of my relief. I could onlyassure him that the divine Spirit had wrought the miracle--a miracle whichlater I found to be in perfect scientific accord with divine law. I then withdrew from society about three years, --to ponder my mission, tosearch the Scriptures, to find the Science of Mind that should take thethings of God and show them to the creature, and reveal the great curativePrinciple, --Deity. The Bible was my textbook. It answered my questions as to how I was healed;but the Scriptures had to me a new meaning, a new tongue. Their spiritualsignification appeared; and I apprehended for the first time, in theirspiritual meaning, Jesus' teaching and demonstration, and the Principle andrule of spiritual Science and metaphysical healing, --in a word, ChristianScience. I named it _Christian_, because it is compassionate, helpful, andspiritual. God I called _immortal Mind_. That which sins, suffers, anddies, I named _mortal mind_. The physical senses, or sensuous nature, Icalled _error_ and _shadow_. Soul I denominated _substance_, because Soulalone is truly substantial. God I characterized as individual entity, butHis corporeality I denied. The real I claimed as eternal; and itsantipodes, or the temporal, I described as unreal. Spirit I called the_reality_; and matter, the _unreality_. I knew the human conception of God to be that He was a physically personalbeing, like unto man; and that the five physical senses are so manywitnesses to the physical personality of mind and the real existence ofmatter; but I learned that these material senses testify falsely, thatmatter neither sees, hears, nor feels Spirit, and is therefore inadequateto form any proper conception of the infinite Mind. "If I bear witness ofmyself, my witness is not true. " (John v. 31. ) I beheld with ineffable awe our great Master's purpose in not questioningthose he healed as to their disease or its symptoms, and his marvellousskill in demanding neither obedience to hygienic laws, nor prescribingdrugs to support the divine power which heals. Adoringly I discerned thePrinciple of his holy heroism and Christian example on the cross, when herefused to drink the "vinegar and gall, " a preparation of poppy, oraconite, to allay the tortures of crucifixion. Our great Way-shower, steadfast to the end in his obedience to God's laws, demonstrated for all time and peoples the supremacy of good over evil, andthe superiority of Spirit over matter. The miracles recorded in the Bible, which had before seemed to mesupernatural, grew divinely natural and apprehensible; though uninspiredinterpreters ignorantly pronounce Christ's healing miraculous, instead ofseeing therein the operation of the divine law. Jesus of Nazareth was a natural and divine Scientist. He was so before thematerial world saw him. He who antedated Abraham, and gave the world a newdate in the Christian era, was a Christian Scientist, who needed nodiscovery of the Science of being in order to rebuke the evidence. To one"born of the flesh, " however, divine Science must be a discovery. Womanmust give it birth. It must be begotten of spirituality, since none but thepure in heart can see God, --the Principle of all things pure; and none butthe "poor in spirit" could first state this Principle, could know yet moreof the nothingness of matter and the allness of Spirit, could utilizeTruth, and absolutely reduce the demonstration of being, in Science, to theapprehension of the age. I wrote also, at this period, comments on the Scriptures, setting forththeir spiritual interpretation, the Science of the Bible, and so laid thefoundation of my work called Science and Health, published in 1875. If these notes and comments, which have never been read by any one butmyself, were published, it would show that after my discovery of theabsolute Science of Mind-healing, like all great truths, this spiritualScience developed itself to me until Science and Health was written. Theseearly comments are valuable to me as waymarks of progress, which I wouldnot have effaced. Up to that time I had not fully voiced my discovery. Naturally, my firstjottings were but efforts to express in feeble diction Truth's ultimate. InLongfellow's language, -- But the feeble hands and helpless, Groping blindly in the darkness, Touch God's right hand in that darkness, And are lifted up and strengthened. As sweet music ripples in one's first thoughts of it like the brooklet inits meandering midst pebbles and rocks, before the mind can duly express itto the ear, --so the harmony of divine Science first broke upon my sense, before gathering experience and confidence to articulate it. Its naturalmanifestation is beautiful and euphonious, but its written expressionincreases in power and perfection under the guidance of the great Master. The divine hand led me into a new world of light and Life, a freshuniverse--old to God, but new to His "little one. " It became evident thatthe divine Mind alone must answer, and be found as the Life, or Principle, of all being; and that one must acquaint himself with God, if he would beat peace. He must be ours practically, guiding our every thought andaction; else we cannot understand the omnipresence of good sufficiently todemonstrate, even in part, the Science of the perfect Mind and divinehealing. I had learned that thought must be spiritualized, in order to apprehendSpirit. It must become honest, unselfish, and pure, in order to have theleast understanding of God in divine Science. The first must become last. Our reliance upon material things must be transferred to a perception ofand dependence on spiritual things. For Spirit to be supreme indemonstration, it must be supreme in our affections, and we must be cladwith divine power. Purity, self-renunciation, faith, and understanding mustreduce all things real to their own mental denomination, Mind, whichdivides, subdivides, increases, diminishes, constitutes, and sustains, according to the law of God. I had learned that Mind reconstructed the body, and that nothing elsecould. How it was done, the spiritual Science of Mind must reveal. It was amystery to me then, but I have since understood it. All Science is arevelation. Its Principle is divine, not human, reaching higher than thestars of heaven. Am I a believer in spiritualism? I believe in no _ism_. This is myendeavor, to be a Christian, to assimilate the character and practice ofthe anointed; and no motive can cause a surrender of this effort. As Iunderstand it, spiritualism is the antipode of Christian Science. I esteemall honest people, and love them, and hold to loving our enemies and doinggood to them that "despitefully use you and persecute you. " FOUNDATION WORK As the pioneer of Christian Science I stood alone in this conflict, endeavoring to smite error with the falchion of Truth. The rare bequests ofChristian Science are costly, and they have won fields of battle from whichthe dainty borrower would have fled. Ceaseless toil, self-renunciation, andlove, have cleared its pathway. The motive of my earliest labors has never changed. It was to relieve thesufferings of humanity by a sanitary system that should include all moraland religious reform. It is often asked why Christian Science was revealed to me as oneintelligence, analyzing, uncovering, and annihilating the false testimonyof the physical senses. Why was this conviction necessary to the rightapprehension of the invincible and infinite energies of Truth and Love, ascontrasted with the foibles and fables of finite mind and materialexistence. The answer is plain. St. Paul declared that the law was the schoolmaster, to bring him to Christ. Even so was I led into the mazes of divinemetaphysics through the gospel of suffering, the providence of God, and thecross of Christ. No one else can drain the cup which I have drunk to thedregs as the Discoverer and teacher of Christian Science; neither can itsinspiration be gained without tasting this cup. The loss of material objects of affection sunders the dominant ties ofearth and points to heaven. Nothing can compete with Christian Science, andits demonstration, in showing this solemn certainty in growing freedom andvindicating "the ways of God" to man. The absolute proof and self-evidentpropositions of Truth are immeasurably paramount to rubric and dogma inproving the Christ. From my very childhood I was impelled, by a hunger and thirst after divinethings, --a desire for something higher and better than matter, and apartfrom it, --to seek diligently for the knowledge of God as the one great andever-present relief from human woe. The first spontaneous motion of Truthand Love, acting through Christian Science on my roused consciousness, banished at once and forever the fundamental error of faith in thingsmaterial; for this trust is the unseen sin, the unknown foe, --the heart'suntamed desire which breaketh the divine commandments. As says St. James:"Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he isguilty of all. " Into mortal mind's material obliquity I gazed, and stood abashed. Blanchedwas the cheek of pride. My heart bent low before the omnipotence of Spirit, and a tint of humility, soft as the heart of a moonbeam, mantled the earth. Bethlehem and Bethany, Gethsemane and Calvary, spoke to my chastened senseas by the tearful lips of a babe. Frozen fountains were unsealed. Eruditesystems of philosophy and religion melted, for Love unveiled the healingpromise and potency of a present spiritual _afflatus_. It was the gospelof healing, on its divinely appointed human mission, bearing on its whitewings, to my apprehension, "the beauty of holiness, "--even thepossibilities of spiritual insight, knowledge, and being. Early had I learned that whatever is loved materially, as mere corporealpersonality, is eventually lost. "For whosoever will save his life shalllose it, " said the Master. Exultant hope, if tinged with earthliness, iscrushed as the moth. What is termed mortal and material existence is graphically defined byCalderon, the famous Spanish poet, who wrote, -- What is life? 'Tis but a madness. What is life? A mere illusion, Fleeting pleasure, fond delusion, Short-lived joy, that ends in sadness, Whose most constant substance seems But the dream of other dreams. MEDICAL EXPERIMENTS The physical side of this research was aided by hints from homoeopathy, sustaining my final conclusion that mortal belief, instead of the drug, governed the action of material medicine. I wandered through the dim mazes of _materia medica_, till I was weary of"scientific guessing, " as it has been well called. I sought knowledge fromthe different schools, --allopathy, homoeopathy, hydropathy, electricity, and from various humbugs, --but without receiving satisfaction. I found, in the two hundred and sixty-two remedies enumerated by Jahr, onepervading secret; namely, that the less material medicine we have, and themore Mind, the better the work is done; a fact which seems to prove thePrinciple of Mind-healing. One drop of the thirtieth attenuation of _Natrummuriaticum_, in a tumbler-full of water, and one teaspoonful of the watermixed with the faith of ages, would cure patients not affected by a largerdose. The drug disappears in the higher attenuations of homoeopathy, andmatter is thereby rarefied to its fatal essence, mortal mind; but immortalMind, the curative Principle, remains, and is found to be even more active. The mental virtues of the material methods of medicine, when understood, were insufficient to satisfy my doubts as to the honesty or utility ofusing a material curative. I must know more of the unmixed, unerringsource, in order to gain the Science of Mind, the All-in-all of Spirit, inwhich matter is obsolete. Nothing less could solve the mental problem. If Isought an answer from the medical schools, the reply was dark andcontradictory. Neither ancient nor modern philosophy could clear theclouds, or give me one distinct statement of the spiritual Science ofMind-healing. Human reason was not equal to it. I claim for healing scientifically the following advantages: _First_: Itdoes away with all material medicines, and recognizes the antidote for allsickness, as well as sin, in the immortal Mind; and mortal mind as thesource of all the ills which befall mortals. _Second_: It is more effectualthan drugs, and cures when they fail, or only relieve; thus proving thesuperiority of metaphysics over physics. _Third_: A person healed byChristian Science is not only healed of his disease, but he is advancedmorally and spiritually. The mortal body being but the objective state ofthe mortal mind, this mind must be renovated to improve the body. FIRST PUBLICATION In 1870 I copyrighted the first publication on spiritual, scientificMind-healing, entitled "The Science of Man. " This little book is convertedinto the chapter on Recapitulation in Science and Health. It was sonew--the basis it laid down for physical and moral health was so hopelesslyoriginal, and men were so unfamiliar with the subject--that I did notventure upon its publication until later, having learned that the merits ofChristian Science must be proven before a work on this subject could beprofitably published. The truths of Christian Science are not interpolations of the Scriptures, but the spiritual interpretations thereof. Science is the prism of Truth, which divides its rays and brings out the hues of Deity. Human hypotheseshave darkened the glow and grandeur of evangelical religion. When speakingof his true followers in every period, Jesus said, "_They_ shall lay handson the sick, and they shall recover. " There is no authority for queryingthe authenticity of this declaration, for it already was and isdemonstrated as practical, and its claim is substantiated, --a claim tooimmanent to fall to the ground beneath the stroke of artless workmen. Though a man were girt with the Urim and Thummim of priestly office, anddenied the perpetuity of Jesus' command, "Heal the sick, " or itsapplication in all time to those who understand Christ as the Truth and theLife, that man would not expound the gospel according to Jesus. Five years after taking out my first copyright, I taught the Science ofMind-healing, _alias_ Christian Science, by writing out my manuscripts forstudents and distributing them unsparingly. This will account for certainpublished and unpublished manuscripts extant, which the evil-minded wouldinsinuate did not originate with me. THE PRECIOUS VOLUME The first edition of my most important work, Science and Health, containingthe complete statement of Christian Science, --the term employed by me toexpress the divine, or spiritual, Science of Mind-healing, was published in1875. When it was first printed, the critics took pleasure in saying, "This bookis indeed wholly original, but it will never be read. " The first edition numbered one thousand copies. In September, 1891, it hadreached sixty-two editions. Those who formerly sneered at it, as foolish and eccentric, now declareBishop Berkeley, David Hume, Ralph Waldo Emerson, or certain Germanphilosophers, to have been the originators of the Science of Mind-healingas therein stated. Even the Scriptures gave no direct interpretation of the scientific basisfor demonstrating the spiritual Principle of healing, until our heavenlyFather saw fit, through the Key to the Scriptures, in Science and Health, to unlock this "mystery of godliness. " My reluctance to give the public, in my first edition of Science andHealth, the chapter on Animal Magnetism, and the divine purpose that thisshould be done, may have an interest for the reader, and will be seen inthe following circumstances. I had finished that edition as far as thatchapter, when the printer informed me that he could not go on with my work. I had already paid him seven hundred dollars, and yet he stopped my work. All efforts to persuade him to finish my book were in vain. After months had passed, I yielded to a constant conviction that I mustinsert in my last chapter a partial history of what I had already observedof mental malpractice. Accordingly, I set to work, contrary to myinclination, to fulfil this painful task, and finished my copy for thebook. As it afterwards appeared, although I had not thought of such aresult, my printer resumed his work at the same time, finished printing thecopy he had on hand, and then started for Lynn to see me. The afternoonthat he left Boston for Lynn, I started for Boston with my finished copy. We met at the Eastern depot in Lynn, and were both surprised, --I to learnthat he had printed all the copy on hand, and had come to tell me he wantedmore, --he to find me _en route_ for Boston, to give him the closing chapterof my first edition of Science and Health. Not a word had passed betweenus, audibly or mentally, while this went on. I had grown disgusted with myprinter, and become silent. He had come to a standstill through motives andcircumstances unknown to me. Science and Health is the textbook of Christian Science. Whosoever learnsthe letter of this book, must also gain its spiritual significance, inorder to demonstrate Christian Science. When the demand for this book increased, and people were healed simply byreading it, the copyright was infringed. I entered a suit at law, and mycopyright was protected. RECUPERATIVE INCIDENT Through four successive years I healed, preached, and taught in a generalway, refusing to take any pay for my services and living on a smallannuity. At one time I was called to speak before the Lyceum Club, at Westerly, Rhode Island. On my arrival my hostess told me that her next-door neighborwas dying. I asked permission to see her. It was granted, and with myhostess I went to the invalid's house. The physicians had given up the case and retired. I had stood by her sideabout fifteen minutes when the sick woman rose from her bed, dressedherself, and was well. Afterwards they showed me the clothes alreadyprepared for her burial; and told me that her physicians had said thediseased condition was caused by an injury received from a surgicaloperation at the birth of her last babe, and that it was impossible for herto be delivered of another child. It is sufficient to add her babe wassafely born, and weighed twelve pounds. The mother afterwards wrote to me, "I never before suffered so little in childbirth. " This scientific demonstration so stirred the doctors and clergy that theyhad my notices for a second lecture pulled down, and refused me a hearingin their halls and churches. This circumstance is cited simply to show theopposition which Christian Science encountered a quarter-century ago, ascontrasted with its present welcome into the sickroom. Many were the desperate cases I instantly healed, "without money andwithout price, " and in most instances without even an acknowledgment of thebenefit. A TRUE MAN My last marriage was with Asa Gilbert Eddy, and was a blessed and spiritualunion, solemnized at Lynn, Massachusetts, by the Rev. Samuel BarrettStewart, in the year 1877. Dr. Eddy was the first student publicly toannounce himself a Christian Scientist, and place these symbolic words onhis office sign. He forsook all to follow in this line of light. He was thefirst organizer of a Christian Science Sunday School, which hesuperintended. He also taught a special Bible-class; and he lectured soably on Scriptural topics that clergymen of other denominations listened tohim with deep interest. He was remarkably successful in Mind-healing, anduntiring in his chosen work. In 1882 he passed away, with a smile of peaceand love resting on his serene countenance. "Mark the perfect _man_, andbehold the upright: for the end of _that_ man _is_ peace. " (Psalms xxxvii. 37. ) COLLEGE AND CHURCH In 1867 I introduced the first purely metaphysical system of healing sincethe apostolic days. I began by teaching one student Christian ScienceMind-healing. From this seed grew the Massachusetts Metaphysical College inBoston, chartered in 1881. No charter was granted for similar purposesafter 1883. It is the only College, hitherto, for teaching the pathology ofspiritual power, _alias_ the Science of Mind-healing. My husband, Asa G. Eddy, taught two terms in my College. After I gave upteaching, my adopted son, Ebenezer J. Foster-Eddy, a graduate of theHahneman Medical College of Philadelphia, and who also received acertificate from Dr. W. W. Keen's (allopathic) Philadelphia School ofAnatomy and Surgery, --having renounced his material method of practice andembraced the teachings of Christian Science, taught the Primary, Normal, and Obstetric class one term. Gen. Erastus N. Bates taught one Primaryclass, in 1889, after which I judged it best to close the institution. These students of mine were the only assistant teachers in the College. The first Christian Scientist Association was organized by myself and sixof my students in 1876, on the Centennial Day of our nation's freedom. At ameeting of the Christian Scientist Association, on April 12, 1879, it wasvoted to organize a church to commemorate the words and works of ourMaster, a Mind-healing church, without a creed, to be called the Church ofChrist, Scientist, the first such church ever organized. The charter forthis church was obtained in June, 1879, [D] and during the same month themembers, twenty-six in number, extended a call to me to become theirpastor. I accepted the call, and was ordained in 1881, though I hadpreached five years before being ordained. When I was its pastor, and in the pulpit every Sunday, my church increasedin members, and its spiritual growth kept pace with its increasingpopularity; but when obliged, because of accumulating work in the College, to preach only occasionally, no student, at that time, was found able tomaintain the church in its previous harmony and prosperity. Examining the situation prayerfully and carefully, noting the church'sneed, and the predisposing and exciting cause of its condition, I saw thatthe crisis had come when much time and attention must be given to defendthis church from the envy and molestation of other churches, and from thedanger to its members which must always lie in Christian warfare. At thisjuncture I recommended that the church be dissolved. No sooner were myviews made known, than the proper measures were adopted to carry them out, the votes passing without a dissenting voice. This measure was immediately followed by a great revival of mutual love, prosperity, and spiritual power. The history of that hour holds this true record. Adding to its ranks andinfluence, this spiritually organized Church of Christ, Scientist, inBoston, still goes on. A new light broke in upon it, and more beautifulbecame the garments of her who "bringeth good tidings, that publishethpeace. " Despite the prosperity of my church, it was learned that materialorganization has its value and peril, and that organization is requisiteonly in the earliest periods in Christian history. After this material formof cohesion and fellowship has accomplished its end, continued organizationretards spiritual growth, and should be laid off, --even as the corporealorganization deemed requisite in the first stages of mortal existence isfinally laid off, in order to gain spiritual freedom and supremacy. From careful observation and experience came my clue to the uses and abusesof organization. Therefore, in accord with my special request, followedthat noble, unprecedented action of the Christian Scientist Associationconnected with my College when dissolving that organization, --in forgivingenemies, returning good for evil, in following Jesus' command, "Whosoevershall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. " I sawthese fruits of Spirit, long-suffering and temperance, fulfil the law ofChrist in righteousness. I also saw that Christianity has withstood lessthe temptation of popularity than of persecution. "FEED MY SHEEP" Lines penned when I was pastor of the Church of Christ, Scientist, inBoston. Shepherd, show me how to go O'er the hillside steep, How to gather, how to sow, -- How to feed Thy sheep; I will listen for Thy voice, Lest my footsteps stray; I will follow and rejoice All the rugged way. Thou wilt bind the stubborn will, Wound the callous breast, Make self-righteousness be still, Break earth's stupid rest. Strangers on a barren shore, Lab'ring long and lone, We would enter by the door, And Thou know'st Thine own. So, when day grows dark and cold, Tear or triumph harms, Lead Thy lambkins to the fold, Take them in Thine arms; Feed the hungry, heal the heart, Till the morning's beam; White as wool, ere they depart, Shepherd, wash them clean. COLLEGE CLOSED The apprehension of what has been, and must be, the final outcome ofmaterial organization, which wars with Love's spiritual compact, caused meto dread the unprecedented popularity of my College. Students from all overour continent, and from Europe, were flooding the school. At this timethere were over three hundred applications from persons desiring to enterthe College, and applicants were rapidly increasing. Example had shown thedangers arising from being placed on earthly pinnacles, and ChristianScience shuns whatever involves material means for the promotion ofspiritual ends. In view of all this, a meeting was called of the Board of Directors of myCollege, who, being informed of my intentions, unanimously voted that theschool be discontinued. A Primary class student, richly imbued with the spirit of Christ, is abetter healer and teacher than a Normal class student who partakes less ofGod's love. After having received instructions in a Primary class from me, or a loyal student, and afterwards studied thoroughly Science and Health, astudent can enter upon the gospel work of teaching Christian Science, andso fulfil the command of Christ. But before entering this field of labor hemust have studied the latest editions of my works, be a good Bible scholarand a consecrated Christian. The Massachusetts Metaphysical College drew its breath from me, but I wasyearning for retirement. The question was, Who else could sustain thisinstitute, under all that was aimed at its vital purpose, the establishmentof _genuine_ Christian Science healing? My conscientious scruples aboutdiplomas, the recent experience of the church fresh in my thoughts, and thegrowing conviction that every one should build on his own foundation, subject to the one builder and maker, God, --all these considerations movedme to close my flourishing school, and the following resolutions werepassed:-- At a special meeting of the Board of the Metaphysical College Corporation, Oct. 29, 1889, the following are some of the resolutions which were presented and passed unanimously:-- WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Metaphysical College, chartered in January, 1881, for medical purposes, to give instruction in scientific methods of mental healing on a purely practical basis, to impart a thorough understanding of metaphysics, to restore health, hope, and harmony to man, --has fulfilled its high and noble destiny, and sent to all parts of our country, and into foreign lands, students instructed in Christian Science Mind-healing, to meet the demand of the age for something higher than physic or drugging; and WHEREAS, The material organization was, in the beginning in this institution, like the baptism of Jesus, of which he said, "Suffer it to be so now, " though the teaching was a purely spiritual and scientific impartation of Truth, whose Christly spirit has led to higher ways, means, and understanding, --the President, the Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy, at the height of prosperity in the institution, which yields a large income, is willing to sacrifice all for the advancement of the world in Truth and Love; and WHEREAS, Other institutions for instruction in Christian Science, which are working out their periods of organization, will doubtless follow the example of the _Alma Mater_ after having accomplished the worthy purpose for which they were organized, and the hour has come wherein the great need is for more of the spirit instead of the letter, and Science and Health is adapted to work this result; and WHEREAS, The fundamental principle for growth in Christian Science is spiritual formation first, last, and always, while in human growth material organization is first; and WHEREAS, Mortals must learn to lose their estimate of the powers that are not ordained of God, and attain the bliss of loving unselfishly, working patiently, and conquering all that is unlike Christ and the example he gave; therefore _Resolved_, That we thank the State for its charter, which is the only one ever granted to a _legal college_ for teaching the Science of Mind-healing; that we thank the public for its liberal patronage. And everlasting gratitude is due to the President, for her great and noble work, which we believe will prove a healing for the nations, and bring all men to a knowledge of the true God, uniting them in one common brotherhood. After due deliberation and earnest discussion it was unanimously voted: That as all debts of the corporation have been paid, it is deemed best to dissolve this corporation, and the same is hereby dissolved. C. A. FRYE, _Clerk_. When God impelled me to set a price on my instruction in Christian ScienceMind-healing, I could think of no financial equivalent for an impartationof a knowledge of that divine power which heals; but I was led to namethree hundred dollars as the price for each pupil in one course of lessonsat my College, --a startling sum for tuition lasting barely three weeks. This amount greatly troubled me. I shrank from asking it, but was finallyled, by a strange providence, to accept this fee. God has since shown me, in multitudinous ways, the wisdom of this decision;and I beg disinterested people to ask my loyal students if they considerthree hundred dollars any real equivalent for my instruction during twelvehalf-days, or even in half as many lessons. Nevertheless, my list ofindigent charity scholars is very large, and I have had as many asseventeen in one class. Loyal students speak with delight of their pupilage, and of what it hasdone for them, and for others through them. By loyalty in students I meanthis, --allegiance to God, subordination of the human to the divine, steadfast justice, and strict adherence to divine Truth and Love. I see clearly that students in Christian Science should, at present, continue to organize churches, schools, and associations for thefurtherance and unfolding of Truth, and that my necessity is notnecessarily theirs; but it was the Father's opportunity for furnishing anew rule of order in divine Science, and the blessings which arosetherefrom. Students are not environed with such obstacles as wereencountered in the beginning of pioneer work. In December, 1889, I gave a lot of land in Boston to my student, Mr. Ira O. Knapp of Roslindale, --valued in 1892 at about twenty thousand dollars, andrising in value, --to be appropriated for the erection, and building on thepremises thereby conveyed, of a church edifice to be used as a temple forChristian Science worship. GENERAL ASSOCIATIONS, AND OUR MAGAZINE For many successive years I have endeavored to find new ways and means forthe promotion and expansion of scientific Mind-healing, seeking to broadenits channels and, if possible, to build a hedge round about it that shouldshelter its perfections from the contaminating influences of those who havea small portion of its letter and less of its spirit. At the same time Ihave worked to provide a home for every true seeker and honest worker inthis vineyard of Truth. To meet the broader wants of humanity, and provide folds for the sheep thatwere without shepherds, I suggested to my students, in 1886, the proprietyof forming a National Christian Scientist Association. This was immediatelydone, and delegations from the Christian Scientist Association of theMassachusetts Metaphysical College, and from branch associations in otherStates, met in general convention at New York City, February 11, 1886. The first official organ of the Christian Scientist Association was called_Journal of Christian Science_. I started it, April, 1883, as editor andpublisher. To the National Christian Scientist Association, at its meeting inCleveland, Ohio, June, 1889, I sent a letter, presenting to its loyalmembers _The Christian Science Journal_, as it was now called, and thefunds belonging thereto. This monthly magazine had been made successful andprosperous under difficult circumstances and was designed to bear aloft thestandard of genuine Christian Science. FAITH-CURE It is often asked, Why are faith-cures sometimes more speedy than some ofthe cures wrought through Christian Scientists? Because faith is belief, and not understanding; and it is easier to believe, than to understandspiritual Truth. It demands less cross-bearing, self-renunciation, anddivine Science to admit the claims of the corporeal senses and appeal toGod for relief through a humanized conception of His power, than to denythese claims and learn the divine way, --drinking Jesus' cup, being baptizedwith his baptism, gaining the end through persecution and purity. Millions are believing in God, or good, without bearing the fruits ofgoodness, not having reached its Science. Belief is virtually blindness, when it admits Truth without understanding it. Blind belief cannot say withthe apostle, "I know whom I have believed. " There is danger in this mentalstate called belief; for if Truth is admitted, but not understood, it maybe lost, and error may enter through this same channel of ignorant belief. The faith-cure has devout followers, whose Christian practice is far inadvance of their theory. The work of healing, in the Science of Mind, is the most sacred andsalutary power which can be wielded. My Christian students, impressed withthe true sense of the great work before them, enter this strait and narrowpath, and work conscientiously. Let us follow the example of Jesus, the master Metaphysician, and gainsufficient knowledge of error to destroy it with Truth. Evil is notmastered by evil; it can only be overcome with good. This brings out thenothingness of evil and the eternal somethingness, vindicates the divinePrinciple, and improves the race of Adam. FOUNDATION-STONES The following ideas of Deity, antagonized by finite theories, doctrines, and hypotheses, I found to be demonstrable rules in Christian Science, andthat we must abide by them. Whatever diverges from the one divine Mind, or God, --or divides Mind intominds, Spirit into spirits, Soul into souls, and Being into beings, --is amisstatement of the unerring divine Principle of Science, which interruptsthe meaning of the omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence of Spirit, and is of human instead of divine origin. War is waged between the evidences of Spirit and the evidences of the fivephysical senses; and this contest must go on until peace be declared by thefinal triumph of Spirit in immutable harmony. Divine Science disclaims sin, sickness, and death, on the basis of the omnipotence and omnipresence ofGod, or divine good. All consciousness is Mind, and Mind is God. Hence there is but one Mind;and that one is the infinite good, supplying all Mind by the reflection, not the subdivision, of God. Whatever else claims to be mind, orconsciousness, is untrue. The sun sends forth light, but not suns; so Godreflects Himself, or Mind, but does not subdivide Mind, or good, intominds, good and evil. Divine Science demands mighty wrestlings with mortalbeliefs, as we sail into the eternal haven over the unfathomable sea ofpossibilities. Neither ancient nor modern philosophy furnishes a scientific basis for theScience of Mind-healing. Plato believed he had a soul, which must bedoctored in order to heal his body. This would be like correcting theprinciple of music for the purpose of destroying discord. Principle isright; it is practice that is wrong. Soul is right; it is the flesh that isevil. Soul is the synonym of Spirit, God; hence there is but one Soul, andthat one is infinite. If that pagan philosopher had known that physicalsense, not Soul, causes all bodily ailments, his philosophy would haveyielded to Science. Man shines by borrowed light. He reflects God as his Mind, and thisreflection is substance, --the substance of good. Matter is substance inerror, Spirit is substance in Truth. Evil, or error, is not Mind; but infinite Mind is sufficient to supply allmanifestations of intelligence. The notion of more than one Mind, or Life, is as unsatisfying as it is unscientific. All must be of God, and not ourown, separated from Him. Human systems of philosophy and religion are departures from ChristianScience. Mistaking divine Principle for corporeal personality, ingraftingupon one First Cause such opposite effects as good and evil, health andsickness, life and death; making mortality the status and rule ofdivinity, --such methods can never reach the perfection and demonstration ofmetaphysical, or Christian Science. Stating the divine Principle, omnipotence (_omnis potens_), and thendeparting from this statement and taking the rule of finite matter, withwhich to work out the problem of infinity or Spirit, --all this is liketrying to compensate for the absence of omnipotence by a physical, false, and finite substitute. With our Master, life was not merely a sense of existence, but anaccompanying sense of power that subdued matter and brought to lightimmortality, insomuch that the people "were astonished at his doctrine: forhe taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. " Life, asdefined by Jesus, had no beginning; it was not the result of organization, or infused into matter; it was Spirit. THE GREAT REVELATION Christian Science reveals the grand verity, that to believe man has afinite and erring mind, and consequently a mortal mind and soul and life, is error. Scientific terms have no contradictory significations. In Science, Life is not temporal, but eternal, without beginning or ending. The word _Life_ never means that which is the source of death, and of goodand evil. Such an inference is unscientific. It is like saying thataddition means subtraction in one instance and addition in another, andthen applying this rule to a demonstration of the science of numbers; evenas mortals apply finite terms to God, in demonstration of infinity. _Life_is a term used to indicate Deity; and every other name for the SupremeBeing, if properly employed, has the signification of Life. Whatever errsis mortal, and is the antipodes of Life, or God, and of health andholiness, both in idea and demonstration. Christian Science reveals Mind, the only living and true God, and all thatis made by Him, Mind, as harmonious, immortal, and spiritual: the fivematerial senses define Mind and matter as distinct, but mutually dependent, each on the other, for intelligence and existence. Science defines man asimmortal, as coexistent and coeternal with God, as made in His own imageand likeness; material sense defines life as something apart from God, beginning and ending, and man as very far from the divine likeness. Sciencereveals Life as a complete sphere, as eternal, self-existent Mind; materialsense defines life as a broken sphere, as organized matter, and mind assomething separate from God. Science reveals Spirit as All, averring thatthere is nothing beside God; material sense says that matter, His antipode, is something besides God. Material sense adds that the divine Spiritcreated matter, and that matter and evil are as real as Spirit and good. Christian Science reveals God and His idea as the All and Only. It declaresthat evil is the absence of good; whereas, good is God ever-present, andtherefore evil is unreal and good is all that is real. Christian Sciencesaith to the wave and storm, "Be still, " and there is a great calm. Material sense asks, in its ignorance of Science, "When will the raging ofthe material elements cease?" Science saith to all manner of disease, "Knowthat God is all-power and all-presence, and there is nothing beside Him;"and the sick are healed. Material sense saith, "Oh, when will my sufferingscease? Where is God? Sickness is something besides Him, which He cannot, ordoes not, heal. " Christian Science is the only sure basis of harmony. Material sensecontradicts Science, for matter and its so-called organizations take nocognizance of the spiritual facts of the universe, or of the real man andGod. Christian Science declares that there is but one Truth, Life, Love, but one Spirit, Mind, Soul. Any attempt to divide these arises from thefallibility of sense, from mortal man's ignorance, from enmity to God anddivine Science. Christian Science declares that sickness is a belief, a latent fear, mademanifest on the body in different forms of fear or disease. This fear isformed unconsciously in the silent thought, as when you awaken from sleepand feel ill, experiencing the effect of a fear whose existence you do notrealize; but if you fall asleep, actually conscious of the truth ofChristian Science, --namely, that man's harmony is no more to be invadedthan the rhythm of the universe, --you cannot awake in fear or suffering ofany sort. Science saith to fear, "You are the cause of all sickness; but you are aself-constituted falsity, --you are darkness, nothingness. You are without'hope, and without God in the world. ' You do not exist, and have no rightto exist, for 'perfect Love casteth out fear. '" God is everywhere. "There is no speech nor language, where their voice isnot heard;" and this voice is Truth that destroys error and Love that castsout fear. Christian Science reveals the fact that, if suffering exists, it is in themortal mind only, for matter has no sensation and cannot suffer. If you rule out every sense of disease and suffering from mortal mind, itcannot be found in the body. Posterity will have the right to demand that Christian Science be statedand demonstrated in its godliness and grandeur, --that however little betaught or learned, that little shall be right. Let there be milk for babes, but let not the milk be adulterated. Unless this method be pursued, theScience of Christian healing will again be lost, and human suffering willincrease. Test Christian Science by its effect on society, and you will find that theviews here set forth--as to the illusion of sin, sickness, and death--bringforth better fruits of health, righteousness, and Life, than _a belief intheir reality has ever done_. A demonstration of the _unreality_ of evildestroys evil. SIN, SINNER, AND ECCLESIASTICISM Why do Christian Scientists say God and His idea are the only realities, and then insist on the need of healing sickness and sin? Because ChristianScience heals sin as it heals sickness, by establishing the recognitionthat God _is All_, and there is none beside Him, --that all is good, andthere is in reality no evil, neither sickness nor sin. We attack thesinner's belief in the pleasure of sin, _alias_ the reality of sin, whichmakes him a sinner, in order to destroy this belief and save him from sin;and we attack the belief of the sick in the reality of sickness, in orderto heal them. When we deny the authority of sin, we begin to sap it; forthis denunciation must precede its destruction. God is good, hence goodness is something, for it represents God, the Lifeof man. Its opposite, nothing, named _evil_, is nothing but a conspiracyagainst man's Life and goodness. Do you not feel bound to expose thisconspiracy, and so to save man from it? Whosoever covers iniquity becomesaccessory to it. Sin, as a claim, is more dangerous than sickness, moresubtle, more difficult to heal. St. Augustine once said, "The devil is but the ape of God. " Sin is worsethan sickness; but recollect that it encourages sin to say, "There is nosin, " and leave the subject there. Sin ultimates in sinner, and in this sense they are one. You cannotseparate sin from the sinner, nor the sinner from his sin. The sin is thesinner, and _vice versa_, for such is the unity of evil; and together bothsinner and sin will be destroyed by the supremacy of good. This, however, does not annihilate man, for to efface sin, _alias_ the sinner, brings tolight, makes apparent, the real man, even God's "image and likeness. " Needit be said that any opposite theory is heterodox to divine Science, whichteaches that good is equally _one_ and _all_, even as the opposite claim ofevil is one. In Christian Science the fact is made obvious that the sinner and the sinare alike simply nothingness; and this view is supported by the Scripture, where the Psalmist saith: "He shall go to the generation of his fathers;they shall never see light. Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, islike the beasts that perish. " God's ways and works and thoughts have neverchanged, either in Principle or practice. Since there is in belief an illusion termed sin, which must be met andmastered, we classify sin, sickness, and death as illusions. They aresupposititious claims of error; and error being a false claim, they are noclaims at all. It is scientific to abide in conscious harmony, inhealth-giving, deathless Truth and Love. To do this, mortals must firstopen their eyes to all the illusive forms, methods, and subtlety of error, in order that the illusion, error, may be destroyed; if this is not done, mortals will become the victims of error. If evangelical churches refuse fellowship with the Church of Christ, Scientist, or with Christian Science, they must rest their opinions ofTruth and Love on the evidences of the physical senses, rather than on theteaching and practice of Jesus, or the works of the Spirit. Ritualism and dogma lead to self-righteousness and bigotry, which freezeout the spiritual element. Pharisaism killeth; Spirit giveth Life. Theodors of persecution, tobacco, and alcohol are not the sweet-smelling savorof Truth and Love. Feasting the senses, gratification of appetite andpassion, have no warrant in the gospel or the Decalogue. Mortals must takeup the cross if they would follow Christ, and worship the Father "in spiritand in truth. " The Jewish religion was not spiritual; hence Jesus denounced it. If thereligion of to-day is constituted of such elements as of old ruled Christout of the synagogues, it will continue to avoid whatever follows theexample of our Lord and prefers Christ to creed. Christian Science is thepure evangelic truth. It accords with the trend and tenor of Christ'steaching and example, while it demonstrates the power of Christ as taughtin the four Gospels. Truth, casting out evils and healing the sick; Love, fulfilling the law and keeping man unspotted from the world, --thesepractical manifestations of Christianity constitute the only evangelism, and they need no creed. As well expect to determine, without a telescope, the magnitude anddistance of the stars, as to expect to obtain health, harmony, and holinessthrough an unspiritual and unhealing religion. Christianity reveals God asever-present Truth and Love, to be utilized in healing the sick, incasting out error, in raising the dead. Christian Science gives vitality to religion, which is no longer buried inmateriality. It raises men from a material sense into the spiritualunderstanding and scientific demonstration of God. THE HUMAN CONCEPT Sin existed as a false claim before the human concept of sin was formed;hence one's concept of error is not the whole of error. The human thoughtdoes not constitute sin, but _vice versa_, sin constitutes the human orphysical concept. Sin is both concrete and abstract. Sin was, and _is_, the lying suppositionthat life, substance, and intelligence are both material and spiritual, andyet are separate from God. The first iniquitous manifestation of sin was afinity. The finite was self-arrayed against the infinite, the mortalagainst immortality, and a sinner was the antipode of God. Silencing self, _alias_ rising above corporeal personality, is what reformsthe sinner and destroys sin. In the ratio that the testimony of materialpersonal sense ceases, sin diminishes, until the false claim called sin isfinally lost for lack of witness. The sinner created neither himself nor sin, but sin created the sinner;that is, error made its man mortal, and this mortal was the image andlikeness of evil, not of good. Therefore the lie was, and _is_, collectiveas well as individual. It was in no way contingent on Adam's thought, butsupposititiously self-created. In the words of our Master, it, the "devil"(_alias_ evil), "was a liar, and the father of it. " This mortal material concept was never a creator, although as a serpent itclaimed to originate in the name of "the Lord, " or good, --original evil;second, in the name of human concept, it claimed to beget the offspring ofevil, _alias_ an evil offspring. However, the human concept never was, neither indeed can be, the father of man. Even the spiritual idea, or idealman, is not a parent, though he reflects the infinity of good. The greatdifference between these opposites is, that the human material concept is_unreal_, and the divine concept or idea is spiritually real. One is false, while the other is true. One is temporal, but the other is eternal. Our Master instructed his students to "call no man your father upon theearth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. " (Matt. Xxiii. 9. ) Science and Health, the textbook of Christian Science, treats of the humanconcept, and the transference of thought, as follows:-- "How can matter originate or transmit mind? We answer that it cannot. Darkness and doubt encompass thought, so long as it bases creation on materiality" (p. 551). "In reality there is no _mortal_ mind, and consequently no transference of mortal thought and will-power. Life and being are of God. In Christian Science, man can do no harm, for scientific thoughts are true thoughts, passing from God to man" (pp. 103, 104). "Man is the offspring of Spirit. The beautiful, good, and pure constitute his ancestry. His origin is not, like that of mortals, in brute instinct, nor does he pass through material conditions prior to reaching intelligence. Spirit is his primitive and ultimate source of being; God is his Father, and Life is the law of his being" (p. 63). "The parent of all human discord was the Adam-dream, the deep sleep, in which originated the delusion that life and intelligence proceeded from and passed into matter. This pantheistic error, or so-called _serpent_, insists still upon the opposite of Truth, saying, 'Ye shall be as gods;' that is, I will make error as real and eternal as Truth. . . . 'I will put spirit into what I call matter, and matter shall seem to have life as much as God, Spirit, who _is_ the only Life. ' This error has proved itself to be error. Its life is found to be not Life, but only a transient, false sense of an existence which ends in death" (pp. 306, 307). "When will the error of believing that there is life in matter, and that sin, sickness, and death are creations of God, be unmasked? When will it be understood that matter has no intelligence, life, nor sensation, and that the opposite belief is the prolific source of all suffering? God created all through Mind, and made all perfect and eternal. Where then is the necessity for recreation or procreation?" (p. 205). "Above error's awful din, blackness, and chaos, the voice of Truth still calls: 'Adam, where art thou? Consciousness, where art thou? Art thou dwelling in the belief that mind is in matter, and that evil is mind, or art thou in the living faith that there is and can be but one God, and keeping His commandment?'" (pp. 307, 308). "Mortal mind inverts the true likeness, and confers animal names and natures upon its own misconceptions. Ignorant of the origin and operations of mortal mind, --that is, ignorant of itself, --this so-called mind puts forth its own qualities, and claims God as their author;. . . Usurps the deific prerogatives and is an attempted infringement on infinity" (pp. 512, 513). We do not question the authenticity of the Scriptural narrative of theVirgin-mother and Bethlehem babe, and the Messianic mission of ChristJesus; but in our time no Christian Scientist will give chimerical wings tohis imagination, or advance speculative theories as to the recurrence ofsuch events. No person can take the individual place of the Virgin Mary. No person cancompass or fulfil the individual mission of Jesus of Nazareth. No personcan take the place of the author of Science and Health, the Discoverer andFounder of Christian Science. Each individual must fill his own niche intime and eternity. The second appearing of Jesus is, unquestionably, the spiritual advent ofthe advancing idea of God, as in Christian Science. And the scientific ultimate of this God-idea must be, will be, foreverindividual, incorporeal, and infinite, even the reflection, "image andlikeness, " of the infinite God. The right teacher of Christian Science lives the truth he teaches. Preeminent among men, he virtually stands at the head of all sanitary, civil, moral, and religious reform. Such a post of duty, unpierced byvanity, exalts a mortal beyond human praise, or monuments which weighdust, and humbles him with the tax it raises on calamity to open the gatesof heaven. It is not the forager on others' wisdom that God thus crowns, but he who is obedient to the divine command, "Render to Cæsar the thingsthat are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's. " Great temptations beset an ignorant or an unprincipled mind-practice inopposition to the straight and narrow path of Christian Science. Promiscuous mental treatment, without the consent or knowledge of theindividual treated, is an error of much magnitude. People unaware of theindications of mental treatment, know not what is affecting them, and thusmay be robbed of their individual rights, --freedom of choice andself-government. Who is willing to be subjected to such an influence? Askthe unbridled mind-manipulator if he would consent to this; and if not, then he is knowingly transgressing Christ's command. He who secretlymanipulates mind without the permission of man or God, is not dealingjustly and loving mercy, according to pure and undefiled religion. Sinister and selfish motives entering into mental practice are dangerousincentives; they proceed from false convictions and a fatal ignorance. These are the tares growing side by side with the wheat, that must berecognized, and uprooted, before the wheat can be garnered and ChristianScience demonstrated. Secret mental efforts to obtain help from one who is unaware of thisattempt, demoralizes the person who does this, the same as other forms ofstealing, and will end in destroying health and morals. In the practice of Christian Science one cannot impart a mental influencethat hazards another's happiness, nor interfere with the rights of theindividual. To disregard the welfare of others is contrary to the law ofGod; therefore it deteriorates one's ability to do good, to benefit himselfand mankind. The Psalmist vividly portrays the result of secret faults, presumptuoussins, and self-deception, in these words: "How are they brought intodesolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. " PERSONALITY The immortal man being spiritual, individual, and eternal, his mortalopposite must be material, corporeal, and temporal. Physical personality isfinite; but God is infinite. He is without materiality, without finitenessof form or Mind. Limitations are put off in proportion as the fleshly nature disappears andman is found in the reflection of Spirit. This great fact leads into profound depths. The material human concept grewbeautifully less as I floated into more spiritual latitudes and purerrealms of thought. From that hour personal corporeality became less to me than it is to peoplewho fail to appreciate individual character. I endeavored to lift thoughtabove physical personality, or selfhood in matter, to man's spiritualindividuality in God, --in the true Mind, where sensible evil is lost insupersensible good. This is the only way whereby the false personality islaid off. He who clings to personality, or perpetually warns you of "personality, "wrongs it, or terrifies people over it, and is the sure victim of his owncorporeality. Constantly to scrutinize physical personality, or accusepeople of being unduly personal, is like the sick talking sickness. Sucherrancy betrays a violent and egotistical personality, increases one'ssense of corporeality, and begets a fear of the senses and a perpetuallyegotistical sensibility. He who does this is ignorant of the meaning of the word _personality_, anddefines it by his own _corpus sine pectore_ (soulless body), and fails todistinguish the individual, or real man from the false sense ofcorporeality, or egotistic self. My own corporeal personality afflicteth me not wittingly; for I desirenever to think of it, and it cannot think of me. PLAGIARISM The various forms of book-borrowing without credit spring from thisill-concealed question in mortal mind, Who shall be greatest? This errorviolates the law given by Moses, it tramples upon Jesus' Sermon on theMount, it does violence to the ethics of Christian Science. Why withhold my name, while appropriating my language and ideas, but givecredit when citing from the works of other authors? Life and its ideals are inseparable, and one's writings on ethics, anddemonstration of Truth, are not, cannot be, understood or taught by thosewho persistently misunderstand or misrepresent the author. Jesus said, "Forthere is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speakevil of me. " If one's spiritual ideal is comprehended and loved, the borrower from it isembraced in the author's own mental mood, and is therefore _honest_. TheScience of Mind excludes opposites, and rests on unity. It is proverbial that dishonesty retards spiritual growth and strikes atthe heart of Truth. If a student at Harvard College has studied a textbookwritten by his teacher, is he entitled, when he leaves the University, towrite out as his own the substance of this textbook? There is no warrant incommon law and no permission in the gospel for plagiarizing an author'sideas and their words. Christian Science is not copyrighted; nor wouldprotection by copyright be requisite, if mortals obeyed God's law of_manright_. A student can write voluminous works on Science withouttrespassing, if he writes honestly, and he cannot dishonestly compose_Christian Science_. The Bible is not stolen, though it is cited, andquoted deferentially. Thoughts touched with the Spirit and Word of Christian Science gravitatenaturally toward Truth. Therefore the mind to which this Science wasrevealed must have risen to the altitude which perceived a light beyondwhat others saw. The spiritually minded meet on the stairs which lead up to spiritual love. This affection, so far from being personal worship, fulfils the law of Lovewhich Paul enjoined upon the Galatians. This is the Mind "which was also inChrist Jesus, " and knows no material limitations. It is the unity of goodand bond of perfectness. This just affection serves to constitute theMind-healer a wonder-worker, --as of old, on the Pentecost Day, when thedisciples were of one accord. He who gains the God-crowned summit of Christian Science never abuses thecorporeal personality, but uplifts it. He thinks of every one in his realquality, and sees each mortal in an impersonal depict. I have long remained silent on a growing evil in plagiarism; but if I donot insist upon the strictest observance of moral law and order inChristian Scientists, I become responsible, as a teacher, for laxity indiscipline and lawlessness in literature. Pope was right in saying, "Anhonest man's the noblest work of God;" and Ingersoll's repartee has itsmoral: "An honest God's the noblest work of man. " ADMONITION The neophyte in Christian Science acts like a diseased physique, --being toofast or too slow. He is inclined to do either too much or too little. Inhealing and teaching the student has not yet achieved the entire wisdom ofMind-practice. The textual explanation of this practice is complete inScience and Health; and scientific practice makes perfect, for it isgoverned by its Principle, and not by human opinions; but carnal andsinister motives, entering into this practice, will prevent thedemonstration of Christian Science. I recommend students not to read so-called scientific works, antagonisticto Christian Science, which advocate materialistic systems; because suchworks and words becloud the right sense of metaphysical Science. The rules of Mind-healing are wholly Christlike and spiritual. Thereforethe adoption of a worldly policy or a resort to subterfuge in the statementof the Science of Mind-healing, or any name given to it other thanChristian Science, or an attempt to demonstrate the facts of this Scienceother than is stated in Science and Health--is a departure from the Scienceof Mind-healing. To becloud mortals, or for yourself to hide from God, isto conspire against the blessings otherwise conferred, against your ownsuccess and final happiness, against the progress of the human race aswell as against _honest_ metaphysical theory and practice. Not by the hearing of the ear is spiritual truth learned and loved; norcometh this apprehension from the experiences of others. We glean spiritualharvests from our own material losses. In this consuming heat false imagesare effaced from the canvas of mortal mind; and thus does the materialpigment beneath fade into invisibility. The signs for the wayfarer in divine Science lie in meekness, in unselfishmotives and acts, in shuffling off scholastic rhetoric, in ridding thethought of effete doctrines, in the purification of the affections anddesires. Dishonesty, envy, and mad ambition are "lusts of the flesh, " which uprootthe germs of growth in Science and leave the inscrutable problem of beingunsolved. Through the channels of material sense, of worldly policy, pomp, and pride, cometh no success in Truth. If beset with misguided emotions, weshall be stranded on the quicksands of worldly commotion, and practicallycome short of the wisdom requisite for teaching and demonstrating thevictory over self and sin. Be temperate in thought, word, and deed. Meekness and temperance are thejewels of Love, set in wisdom. Restrain untempered zeal. "Learn to laborand to wait. " Of old the children of Israel were saved by patient waiting. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it byforce!" said Jesus. Therefore are its spiritual gates not captured, nor itsgolden streets invaded. We recognize this kingdom, the reign of harmony within us, by an unselfishaffection or love, for this is the pledge of divine good and the insigniaof heaven. This also is proverbial, that though eternal justice begraciously gentle, yet it may seem severe. For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. As the poets in different languages have expressed it:-- Though the mills of God grind slowly, Yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting, With exactness grinds He all. Though the divine rebuke is effectual to the pulling down of sin'sstrongholds, it may stir the human heart to resist Truth, before this heartbecomes obediently receptive of the heavenly discipline. If the ChristianScientist recognize the mingled sternness and gentleness which permeatejustice and Love, he will not scorn the timely reproof, but will so absorbit that this warning will be within him a spring, welling up into unceasingspiritual rise and progress. Patience and obedience win the goldenscholarship of experimental tuition. The kindly shepherd of the East carries his lambs in his arms to thesheepcot, but the older sheep pass into the fold under his compelling rod. He who sees the door and turns away from it, is guilty, while innocencestrayeth yearningly. There are no greater miracles known to earth than perfection and anunbroken friendship. We love our friends, but ofttimes we lose them inproportion to our affection. The sacrifices made for others are notinfrequently met by envy, ingratitude, and enmity, which smite the heartand threaten to paralyze its beneficence. The unavailing tear is shed bothfor the living and the dead. Nothing except sin, in the students themselves, can separate them from me. Therefore we should guard thought and action, keeping them in accord withChrist, and our friendship will surely continue. The letter of the law of God, separated from its spirit, tends todemoralize mortals, and must be corrected by a diviner sense of liberty andlight. The spirit of Truth extinguishes false thinking, feeling, andacting; and falsity must thus decay, ere spiritual sense, affectionalconsciousness, and genuine goodness become so apparent as to be wellunderstood. After the supreme advent of Truth in the heart, there comes an overwhelmingsense of error's vacuity, of the blunders which arise from wrongapprehension. The enlightened heart loathes error, and casts it aside; orelse that heart is consciously untrue to the light, faithless to itself andto others, and so sinks into deeper darkness. Said Jesus: "If the lightthat is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" and Shakespeareputs this pious counsel into a father's mouth:-- This above all: To thine own self be true; And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. A realization of the shifting scenes of human happiness, and of the frailtyof mortal anticipations, --such as first led me to the feet of ChristianScience, --seems to be requisite at every stage of advancement. Though ourfirst lessons are changed, modified, broadened, yet their core isconstantly renewed; as the law of the chord remains unchanged, whether weare dealing with a simple Latour exercise or with the vast Wagner Trilogy. A general rule is, that my students should not allow their movements to becontrolled by other students, even if they are teachers and practitionersof the same blessed faith. The exception to this rule should be very rare. The widest power and strongest growth have always been attained by thoseloyal students who rest on divine Principle for guidance, not onthemselves; and who locate permanently in one section, and adhere to theorderly methods herein delineated. At this period my students should locate in large cities, in order to dothe greatest good to the greatest number, and therein abide. The populationof our principal cities is ample to supply many practitioners, teachers, and preachers with work. This fact interferes in no way with the prosperityof each worker; rather does it represent an accumulation of power on hisside which promotes the ease and welfare of the workers. Their liberatedcapacities of mind enable Christian Scientists to consummate much good orelse evil; therefore their examples either excel or fall short of otherreligionists; and they must be found dwelling together in harmony, if eventhey compete with ecclesiastical fellowship and friendship. It is often asked which revision of Science and Health is the best. Thearrangement of my last revision, in 1890, makes the subject-matter clearerthan any previous edition, and it is therefore better adapted tospiritualize thought and elucidate scientific healing and teaching. It hasalready been proven that this volume is accomplishing the divine purpose toa remarkable degree. The wise Christian Scientist will commend students andpatients to the teachings of this book, and the healing efficacy thereof, rather than try to centre their interest on himself. Students whom I have taught are seldom benefited by the teachings of otherstudents, for scientific foundations are already laid in their minds whichought not to be tampered with. Also, they are prepared to receive theinfinite instructions afforded by the Bible and my books, which mislead noone and are their best guides. The student may mistake in his conception of Truth, and this error, in anhonest heart, is sure to be corrected. But if he misinterprets the text tohis pupils, and communicates, even unintentionally, his misconception ofTruth, thereafter he will find it more difficult to rekindle his own lightor to enlighten them. Hence, as a rule, the student should explain onlyRecapitulation, the chapter for the class-room, and leave Science andHealth to God's daily interpretation. Christian Scientists should take their textbook into the schoolroom thesame as other teachers; they should ask questions from it, and be answeredaccording to it, --occasionally reading aloud from the book to corroboratewhat they teach. It is also highly important that their pupils study eachlesson before the recitation. That these essential points are ever omitted, is anomalous, when weconsider the necessity of thoroughly understanding Science, and the presentliability of deviating from absolute Christian Science. Centuries will intervene before the statement of the inexhaustible topicsof Science and Health is sufficiently understood to be fully demonstrated. The teacher himself should continue to study this textbook, and tospiritualize his own thoughts and human life from this open fount of Truthand Love. He who sees clearly and enlightens other minds most readily, keeps his ownlamp trimmed and burning. Throughout his entire explanations he strictlyadheres to the teachings in the chapter on Recapitulation. When closing theclass, each member should own a copy of Science and Health, and continue tostudy and assimilate this inexhaustible subject--Christian Science. The opinions of men cannot be substituted for God's revelation. In timespast, arrogant pride, in attempting to steady the ark of Truth, obscuredeven the power and glory of the Scriptures, --to which Science and Health isthe Key. That teacher does most for his students who divests himself most of prideand self, and by reason thereof is able to empty his students' minds oferror, that they may be filled with Truth. Thus doing, posterity will callhim blessed, and the tired tongue of history be enriched. The less the teacher personally controls other minds, and the more hetrusts them to the divine Truth and Love, the better it will be for bothteacher and student. A teacher should take charge only of his own pupils and patients, and ofthose who voluntarily place themselves under his direction; he should avoidleaving his own regular institute or place of labor, or expending his laborwhere there are other teachers who should be specially responsible fordoing their own work well. Teachers of Christian Science will find it advisable to band together theirstudents into associations, to continue the organization of churches, andat present they can employ any other organic operative method that maycommend itself as useful to the Cause and beneficial to mankind. Of this also rest assured, that books and teaching are but a ladder letdown from the heaven of Truth and Love, upon which angelic thoughts ascendand descend, bearing on their pinions of light the Christ-spirit. Guard yourselves against the subtly hidden suggestion that the Son of manwill be glorified, or humanity benefited, by any deviation from the orderprescribed by supernal grace. Seek to occupy no position whereto you do notfeel that God ordains you. Never forsake your post without due deliberationand light, but always wait for God's finger to point the way. The loyalChristian Scientist is incapable alike of abusing the practice ofMind-healing or of healing on a material basis. The tempter is vigilant, awaiting only an opportunity to divide the ranksof Christian Science and scatter the sheep abroad; but "if God be for us, who can be against us?" The Cause, _our_ Cause, is highly prosperous, rapidly spreading over the globe; and the morrow will crown the effort ofto-day with a diadem of gems from the New Jerusalem. EXEMPLIFICATION To energize wholesome spiritual warfare, to rebuke vainglory, to offsetboastful emptiness, to crown patient toil, and rejoice in the spirit andpower of Christian Science, we must ourselves be true. There is but one wayof _doing_ good, and that is to _do_ it! There is but one way of _being_good, and that is to _be_ good! Art thou still unacquainted with thyself? Then be introduced to this self. "Know thyself!" as said the classic Grecian motto. Note well the falsity ofthis mortal self! Behold its vileness, and remember this poverty-stricken"stranger that is within thy gates. " Cleanse every stain from thiswanderer's soiled garments, wipe the dust from his feet and the tears fromhis eyes, that you may behold the real man, the fellow-saint of a holyhousehold. There should be no blot on the escutcheon of our Christlinesswhen we offer our gift upon the altar. A student desiring growth in the knowledge of Truth, can and will obtain itby taking up his cross and following Truth. If he does this not, andanother one undertakes to carry his burden and do his work, the duty will_not be accomplished_. No one can save himself without God's help, and Godwill help each man who performs his own part. After this manner and in noother way is every man cared for and blessed. To the unwise helper ourMaster said, "Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. " The poet's line, "Order is heaven's first law, " is so eternally true, soaxiomatic, that it has become a truism; and its wisdom is as obvious inreligion and scholarship as in astronomy or mathematics. Experience has taught me that the rules of Christian Science can be farmore thoroughly and readily acquired by regularly settled and systematicworkers, than by unsettled and spasmodic efforts. Genuine ChristianScientists are, or should be, the most systematic and law-abiding people onearth, because their religion demands implicit adherence to fixed rules, inthe orderly demonstration thereof. Let some of these rules be here stated. _First_: Christian Scientists are to "heal the sick" as the Mastercommanded. In so doing they must follow the divine order as prescribed byJesus, --never, in any way, to trespass upon the rights of their neighbors, but to obey the celestial injunction, "Whatsoever ye would that men shoulddo to you, do ye even so to them. " In this orderly, scientific dispensation healers become a law untothemselves. They feel their own burdens less, and can therefore bear theweight of others' burdens, since it is only through the lens of theirunselfishness that the sunshine of Truth beams with such efficacy as todissolve error. It is already understood that Christian Scientists will not receive apatient who is under the care of a regular physician, until he has donewith the case and different aid is sought. The same courtesy should beobserved in the professional intercourse of Christian Science healers withone another. _Second_: Another command of the Christ, his prime command, was that hisfollowers should "raise the dead. " He lifted his own body from thesepulchre. In him, Truth called the physical man from the tomb to health, and the so-called dead forthwith emerged into a higher manifestation ofLife. The spiritual significance of this command, "Raise the dead, " most concernsmankind. It implies such an elevation of the understanding as will enablethought to apprehend the living beauty of Love, its practicality, itsdivine energies, its health-giving and life-bestowing qualities, --yea, itspower to demonstrate immortality. This end Jesus achieved, both by exampleand precept. _Third_: This leads inevitably to a consideration of another part ofChristian Science work, --a part which concerns us intimately, --preachingthe gospel. This evangelistic duty should not be so warped as to signify that we mustor may go, uninvited, to work in other vineyards than our own. One would, or should, blush to enter unasked another's pulpit, and preach without theconsent of the stated occupant of that pulpit. The Lord's command meansthis, that we should adopt the spirit of the Saviour's ministry, and abidein such a spiritual attitude as will draw men unto us. Itinerancy shouldnot be allowed to clip the wings of divine Science. Mind demonstratesomnipresence and omnipotence, but Mind revolves on a spiritual axis, andits power is displayed and its presence felt in eternal stillness andimmovable Love. The divine potency of this spiritual mode of Mind, and thehindrance opposed to it by material motion, is proven beyond a doubt in thepractice of Mind-healing. In those days preaching and teaching were substantially one. There was nochurch preaching, in the modern sense of the term. Men assembled in the onetemple (at Jerusalem) for sacrificial ceremonies, not for sermons. Into thesynagogues, scattered about in cities and villages, they went forliturgical worship, and instruction in the Mosaic law. If one worshipperpreached to the others, he did so informally, and because he was bidden tothis privileged duty at that particular moment. It was the custom to paythis hortatory compliment to a stranger, or to a member who had been awayfrom the neighborhood; as Jesus was once asked to exhort, when he had beensome time absent from Nazareth but once again entered the synagogue whichhe had frequented in childhood. Jesus' method was to instruct his own students; and he watched and guardedthem unto the end, even according to his promise, "Lo, I am with youalway!" Nowhere in the four Gospels will Christian Scientists find anyprecedent for employing another student to take charge of their students, or for neglecting their own students, in order to enlarge their sphere ofaction. Above all, trespass not intentionally upon other people's thoughts, byendeavoring to influence other minds to any action not first made known tothem or sought by them. Corporeal and selfish influence is human, fallible, and temporary; but incorporeal impulsion is divine, infallible, andeternal. The student should be most careful not to thrust aside Science, and shade God's window which lets in light, or seek to stand in God'sstead. Does the faithful shepherd forsake the lambs, --retaining his salary fortending the home flock while he is serving another fold? There is noevidence to show that Jesus ever entered the towns whither he sent hisdisciples; no evidence that he there taught a few hungry ones, and thenleft them to starve or to stray. To these selected ones (like "the electlady" to whom St. John addressed one of his epistles) he gave personalinstruction, and gave in plain words, until they were able to fulfil hisbehest and depart on their united pilgrimages. This he did, even though oneof the twelve whom he kept near himself betrayed him, and others forsookhim. The true mother never willingly neglects her children in their early andsacred hours, consigning them to the care of nurse or stranger. Who canfeel and comprehend the needs of her babe like the ardent mother? Whatother heart yearns with her solicitude, endures with her patience, waitswith her hope, and labors with her love, to promote the welfare andhappiness of her children? Thus must the Mother in Israel give all herhours to those first sacred tasks, till her children can walk steadfastlyin wisdom's ways. One of my students wrote to me: "I believe the proper thing for us to do isto follow, as nearly as we can, in the path you have pursued!" It isgladdening to find, in such a student, one of the children of light. It issafe to leave with God the government of man. He appoints and He anointsHis Truth-bearers, and God is their sure defense and refuge. The parable of "the prodigal son" is rightly called "the pearl ofparables, " and our Master's greatest utterance may well be called "thediamond sermon. " No purer and more exalted teachings ever fell upon humanears than those contained in what is commonly known as the Sermon on theMount, --though this name has been given it by compilers and translators ofthe Bible, and not by the Master himself or by the Scripture authors. Indeed, this title really indicates more the Master's mood, than thematerial locality. Where did Jesus deliver this great lesson--or, rather, this series of greatlessons--on humanity and divinity? On a hillside, near the sloping shoresof the Lake of Galilee, where he spake primarily to his immediatedisciples. In this simplicity, and with such fidelity, we see Jesus ministering to thespiritual needs of all who placed themselves under his care, always leadingthem into the divine order, under the sway of his own perfectunderstanding. His power over others was spiritual, not corporeal. To thestudents whom he had chosen, his immortal teaching was the bread of Life. When _he_ was with them, a fishing-boat became a sanctuary, and thesolitude was peopled with holy messages from the All-Father. The grovebecame his class-room, and nature's haunts were the Messiah's university. What has this hillside priest, this seaside teacher, done for the humanrace? Ask, rather, what has he _not_ done. His holy humility, unworldliness, and self-abandonment wrought infinite results. The methodof his religion was not too simple to be sublime, nor was his power soexalted as to be unavailable for the needs of suffering mortals, whosewounds he healed by Truth and Love. His order of ministration was "first the blade, then the ear, after thatthe full corn in the ear. " May we unloose the latchets of his Christliness, inherit his legacy of love, and reach the fruition of his promise: "If yeabide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and itshall be done unto you. " WAYMARKS In the first century of the Christian era Jesus went about doing good. Theevangelists of those days wandered about. Christ, or the spiritual idea, appeared to human consciousness as the man Jesus. At the present epoch thehuman concept of Christ is based on the incorporeal divine Principle ofman, and Science has elevated this idea and established its rules inconsonance with their Principle. Hear this saying of our Master, "And I, ifI be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. " The ideal of God is no longer impersonated as a waif or wanderer; and Truthis not fragmentary, disconnected, unsystematic, but concentrated andimmovably fixed in Principle. The best spiritual type of Christly methodfor uplifting human thought and imparting divine Truth, is stationarypower, stillness, and strength; and when this spiritual ideal is made ourown, it becomes the model for human action. St. Paul said to the Athenians, "For in Him we live, and move, and have ourbeing. " This statement is in substance identical with my own: "There is nolife, truth, substance, nor intelligence in matter. " It is quite clear thatas yet this grandest verity has not been fully demonstrated, but it isnevertheless true. If Christian Science reiterates St. Paul's teaching, we, as Christian Scientists, should give to the world convincing proof of thevalidity of this scientific statement of being. Having perceived, inadvance of others, this scientific fact, we owe to ourselves and to theworld a struggle for its demonstration. At some period and in some way the conclusion must be met that whatsoeverseems true, and yet contradicts divine Science and St. Paul's text, must beand is false; and that whatsoever seems to be good, and yet errs, thoughacknowledging the true way, is really evil. As dross is separated from gold, so Christ's baptism of fire, hispurification through suffering, consumes whatsoever is of sin. Thereforethis purgation of divine mercy, destroying all error, leaves no flesh, nomatter, to the mental consciousness. When all fleshly belief is annihilated, and every spot and blemish on thedisk of consciousness is removed, then, and not till then, will immortalTruth be found true, and scientific teaching, preaching, and practice beessentially one. "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thingwhich he alloweth . . . For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. " (Romans xiv. 22, 23. ) There is no "lo here! or lo there!" in divine Science; its manifestationmust be "the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever, " since Science iseternally one, and unchanging, in Principle, rule, and demonstration. I am persuaded that only by the modesty and distinguishing affectionillustrated in Jesus' career, can Christian Scientists aid theestablishment of Christ's kingdom on the earth. In the first century of theChristian era Jesus' teachings bore much fruit, and the Father wasglorified therein. In this period and the forthcoming centuries, wateredby dews of divine Science, this "tree of life" will blossom into greaterfreedom, and its leaves will be "for the healing of the nations. " Ask God to give thee skill In comfort's art: That thou may'st consecrated be And set apart Unto a life of sympathy. For heavy is the weight of ill In every heart; And comforters are needed much Of Christlike touch. --A. E. HAMILTON. THE PLIMPTON PRESS NORWOOD MASS USA FOOTNOTES: [Footnote A: See Page 311, Lines 12 to 17, "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany. "] [Footnote B: This statement appears to be based upon the Annual Report ofthe Secretary of The Christian Scientist Association, read at its meeting, January 15, 1880, in which June is named as the month in which the charterfor The Mother Church was obtained, instead of August 23, 1879, the correctdate. ] [Footnote C: An alder growing from the bent branch of a pear-tree. ] [Footnote D: Steps were taken to promote the Church of Christ, Scientist, in April, May and June; formal organization was accomplished and thecharter obtained in August, 1879]