Miscellaneous Writings Part 46

times in things most essential, which proceed from the standard of right that regulates human destiny. Human skill but foreshadows what is next to appear as its divine origin. Proportionately as we part with material systems and theories, personal doctrines and dogmas, meekly to [15]

ascend the hill of Science, shall we reach the maximum of perfection in all things.

Spirit is omnipotent; hence a more spiritual Chris- tianity will be one having more power, having perfected in Science that most important of all arts,-healing. [20]

Metaphysical healing, or Christian Science, is a de- mand of the times. Every man and every woman would desire and demand it, if he and she knew its infinite value and firm basis. The unerring and fixed Principle of all healing is G.o.d; and this Principle should be [25]

sought from the love of good, from the most spiritual and unselfish motives. Then will it be understood to be of G.o.d, and not of man; and this will prevent mankind from striking out promiscuously, teaching and practising

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in the _name_ of Science without knowing its fundamental [1]

Principle.

It is important to know that a malpractice of the best system will result in the worst form of medicine. More- over, the feverish, disgusting pride of those who call [5]

themselves metaphysicians or Scientists,-but are such in name only,-fanned by the breath of mental mal- practice, is the death's-head at the feast of Truth; the monkey in harlequin jacket that will r.e.t.a.r.d the onward march of life-giving Science, if not understood and with- [10]

stood, and so strangled in its attempts.

The standard of metaphysical healing is traduced by thinking to put into the old garment of drugging the new cloth of metaphysics; or by trying to twist the fatal magnetic force of mortal mind, termed hypnotism, into [15]

a more fashionable cut and naming that "mind-cure,"

or-which is still worse in the eyes of Truth-terming it metaphysics! Subst.i.tuting good words for a good life, fair-seeming for straightforward character, mental mal- practice for the practice of true medicine, is a poor shift [20]

for the weak and worldly who think the standard of Christian Science too high for them.

What think you of a scientist in mathematics who finds fault with the exactness of the rule because unwilling to work hard enough to practise it? The perfection of the [25]

rule of Christian Science is what const.i.tutes its utility: having a true standard, if some fall short, others will approach it; and these are they only who adhere to that standard.

Matter must be understood as a false belief or product so [30]

of mortal mind: whence we learn that sensation is not in matter, but in this so-called mind; that we see and

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feel disease only by reason of our belief in it: then shall [1]

matter remain no longer to blind us to Spirit, and clog the wheels of progress. We spread our wings in vain when we attempt to mount above error by speculative views of Truth. [5]

Love is the Principle of divine Science; and Love is not learned of the material senses, nor gained by a culpa- ble attempt to seem what we have not lifted ourselves to _be_, namely, a Christian. In love for man, we gain a true sense of Love as G.o.d; and in no other way can we [10]

reach this spiritual sense, and rise-and still rise-to things most essential and divine. What hinders man's progress is his vain conceit, the Phariseeism of the times, also his effort to steal from others and avoid hard work; errors which can never find a place in Science. Empiri- [15]

cal knowledge is worse than useless: it never has advanced man a single step in the scale of being.

That one should have ventured on such unfamiliar ground, and, self-forgetful, should have gone on to estab- lish this mighty system of metaphysical healing, called [20]

Christian Science, against such odds,-even the entire current of mortality,-is matter of grave wonderment to profound thinkers. That, in addition to this, she has made some progress, has seen far into the spiritual facts of be- ing which const.i.tute physical and mental perfection, in [25]

the midst of an age so sunken in sin and sensuality, seems to them still more inconceivable.

In this new departure of metaphysics, G.o.d is regarded more as absolute, supreme; and Christ is clad with a richer illumination as our Saviour from sickness, sin, [30]

and death. G.o.d's fatherliness as Life, Truth, and Love, makes His sovereignty glorious.

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By this system, too, man has a changed recognition [1]

of his relation to G.o.d. He is no longer obliged to sin, be sick, and die to reach heaven, but is required and em- powered to conquer sin, sickness, and death; thus, as image and likeness, to reflect Him who destroys death [5]

and h.e.l.l. By this reflection, man becomes the partaker of that Mind whence sprang the universe.

In Christian Science, progress is demonstration, not doctrine. This Science is ameliorative and regenerative, delivering mankind from all error through the light and [10]

love of Truth. It gives to the race loftier desires and new possibilities. It lays the axe at the root of the tree of knowledge, to cut down all that bringeth not forth good fruit; "and blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." It touches mind to more spiritual issues, sys- [15]

tematizes action, gives a keener sense of Truth and a stronger desire for it.

Hungering and thirsting after a better life, we shall have it, and become Christian Scientists; learn G.o.d aright, and know something of the ideal man, the real [20]

man, harmonious and eternal. This movement of thought must push on the ages: it must start the wheels of reason aright, educate the affections to higher resources, and leave Christianity unbiased by the superst.i.tions of a senior period. [25]

Injustice

Who that has tried to follow the divine precept, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them," has not suffered from the

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situation?-has not found that human pa.s.sions in their [1]

reaction have misjudged motives?

Throughout our experience since undertaking the labor of uplifting the race, we have been made the re- pository of little else than the troubles, indiscretions, [5]

and errors of others; until thought has shrunk from contact with family difficulties, and become weary with study to counsel wisely whenever giving advice on per- sonal topics.

To the child complaining of his parents we have said, [10]

"Love and honor thy parents, and yield obedience to them in all that is right; but you have the rights of con- science, as we all have, and must follow G.o.d in all your ways."

When yielding to constant solicitations of husband or [15]

wife to give, to one or the other, advice concerning diffi- culties and the best way to overcome them, we have done this to the best of our ability,-and always with the pur- pose to restore harmony and prevent dishonor. In such cases we have said, "Take no counsel of a mortal, even [20]

though it be your best friend; but be guided by G.o.d alone;" meaning by this, Be not estranged from each other by anything that is said to you, but seek in divine Love the remedy for all human discord.

Yet, notwithstanding one's good intentions, in some [25]

way or at some step in one's efforts to help another, as a general rule, one will be blamed for all that is not right: but this must not deter us from doing our duty, whatever else may appear, and at whatever cost.

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Reformers

The olden opinion that h.e.l.l is fire and brimstone, has yielded somewhat to the metaphysical fact that suffering is a thing of mortal mind instead of body: so, in place of material flames and odor, mental anguish is generally [5]

accepted as the penalty for sin. This changed belief has wrought a change in the actions of men. Not a few individuals serve G.o.d (or try to) from fear; but remove that fear, and the worst of human pa.s.sions belch forth their latent fires. Some people never repent until earth [10]

gives them such a cup of gall that conscience strikes home; then they are brought to realize how impossible it is to sin and not suffer. All the different phases of error in human nature the reformer must encounter and help to eradicate. [15]

This period is not essentially one of conscience: few feel and live now as when this nation began, and our forefathers' prayers blended with the murmuring winds of their forest home. This is a period of doubt, inquiry, speculation, selfishness; of divided interests, marvellous [20]

good, and mysterious evil. But sin can only work out its own destruction; and reform does and must push on the growth of mankind.

Honor to faithful merit is delayed, and always has been; but it is sure to follow. The very streets through [25]

which Garrison was dragged were draped in honor of the dead hero who did the hard work, the immortal work, of loosing the fetters of one form of human slavery. I remember, when a girl, and he visited my father, how a childish fear cl.u.s.tered round his coming. I had heard [30]