Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896 Part 55

of them be found borrowing oil, and seeking light from matter instead of Spirit, or at work erroneously, thus shutting out spiritual light. Such an error and loss will be quickly learned when the door is shut. Error giveth no light, and it closes the door on itself. [30]

In the dark hours, wise Christian Scientists stand firmer than ever in their allegiance to G.o.d. Wisdom

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is wedded to their love, and their hearts are not [1]

troubled.

Falsehood is on the wings of the winds, but Truth will soar above it. Truth is speaking louder, clearer, and more imperatively than ever. Error is walking to [5]

and fro in the earth, trying to be heard above Truth, but its voice dies out in the distance. Whosoever pro- claims Truth loudest, becomes the mark for error's shafts.

The archers aim at Truth's mouthpiece; but a heart loyal to G.o.d is patient and strong. Justice waits, and [10]

is used to waiting; and right wins the everlasting victory.

The stake and scaffold have never silenced the mes- sages of the Most High. Then can the present mode of attempting this-namely, by slanderous falsehoods, and [15]

a secret mind-method, through which to effect the pur- poses of envy and malice-silence Truth? Never. They but open the eyes to the truth of Benjamin Franklin's report before the French Commissioners on Mesmerism: "It is one more fact to be recorded in the history of the [20]

errors of the human mind."

"The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice."

No evidence before the material senses can close my eyes to the scientific proof that G.o.d, good, is supreme.

Though clouds are round about Him, the divine justice [25]

and judgment are enthroned. Love is especially near in times of hate, and never so near as when one can be just amid lawlessness, and render good for evil.

I thunder His law to the sinner, and sharply lighten on the cloud of the intoxicated senses. I cannot help [30]

loathing the phenomena of drunkenness produced by animality. I rebuke it wherever I see it. The vision

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of the Revelator is before me. The wines of fornica- [1]

tion, envy, and hatred are the distilled spirits of evil, and are the signs of these times; but I am not dismayed, and my peace returns unto me.

Error will hate more as it realizes more the presence [5]

of its tormentor. I shall fulfil my mission, fight the good fight, and keep the faith.

There is great joy in this consciousness, that through- out my labors, and in my history as connected with the Cause of Christian Science, it can be proven that I have [10]

never given occasion for a single censure, when my mo- tives and acts are understood and seen as my Father seeth them. I once wondered at the Scriptural declara- tion that Job sinned not in all he said, even when he cursed the hour of his birth; but I have learned that a curse on [15]

sin is always a blessing to the human race.

Those only who are tried in the furnace reflect the image of their Father. You, my beloved students, who are absent from me, and have shared less of my labors than many others, seem stronger to resist temptation [20]

than some of those who have had line upon line and precept upon precept. This may be a serviceable hint, since necessities and G.o.d's providence are foreshadowed.

I have felt for some time that perpetual instruction of my students might subst.i.tute my own for their growth, [25]

and so dwarf their experience. If they must learn by the things they suffer, the sooner this lesson is gained the better.

For two years I have been gradually withdrawing from active membership in the Christian Scientist a.s.sociation. [30]

This has developed higher energies on the part of true followers, and led to some startling departures on the

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other hand. "Offenses will come: but woe unto him, [1]

through whom they come."

Why does not the certainty of individual punishment for sin prevent the wrong action? It is the love of G.o.d, and not the fear of evil, that is the incentive in Science. [5]

I rejoice with those who rejoice, and am too apt to weep with those who weep, but over and above it all are eter- nal sunshine and joy unspeakable.

The March Primary Cla.s.s

TO THE PRIMARY CLa.s.s OF THE Ma.s.sACHUSETTS METAPHYSICAL COLLEGE, 571 COLUMBUS AVENUE, THAT a.s.sEMBLED FEB. 25, 1889, WITH AN ATTENDANCE OF SIXTY-FIVE STUDENTS

My students, three picture-stories from the Bible pre- sent themselves to my thought; three of those pictures from which we learn without study. The first is that of [15]

Joshua and his band before the walls of Jericho. They went seven times around these walls, the seven times corresponding to the seven days of creation: the six days are to find out the nothingness of matter; the seventh is the day of rest, when it is found that evil is naught [20]

and good is all.

The second picture is of the disciples met together in an upper chamber; and they were of one mind. Mark, that in the case of Joshua and his band they had all to shout _together_ in order that the walls might fall; and the [25]

disciples, too, were of one mind.

We, to-day, in this cla.s.s-room, are enough to con- vert the world if we are of one Mind; for then the whole world will feel the influence of this Mind; as when

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earth was without form, and Mind spake and form [1]

appeared.

The third picture-lesson is from Revelation, where, at the opening of the seals, one of the angels presented him- self with balances to weigh the thoughts and actions of [5]

men; not angels with wings, but messengers of pure and holy thoughts that say, See thou hurt not the holy things of Truth.

You have come to be weighed; and yet, I would not weigh you, nor have you weighed. How is this? Be- [10]

cause G.o.d does all, and there is nothing in the opposite scale. There are not two,-Mind _and_ matter. We must get rid of that notion. As we commonly think, we imagine all is well if we cast something into the scale of Mind, but we must realize that Mind is not put into the [15]

scales with matter; then only are we working on one side and in Science.

The students of this Primary cla.s.s, dismissed the fifth of March, at close of the lecture on the fourth presented their teacher with an elegant alb.u.m costing fifty dollars, [20]

and containing beautiful hand-painted flowers on each page, with their autographs. The presentation was made in a brief address by Mr. D.A. Easton, who in appro- priate language and metaphor expressed his fellow-students'

thanks to their teacher. [25]

On the morning of the fifth, I met the cla.s.s to answer some questions before their dismissal, and allude briefly to a topic of great import to the student of Christian Science,-the rocks and sirens in their course, on and by which so many wrecks are made. The doors of animal [30]

magnetism open wide for the entrance of error, some- times just at the moment when you are ready to enter on

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the fruition of your labors, and with laudable ambition [1]

are about to chant hymns of victory for triumphs.

The doors that this animal element flings open are those of rivalry, jealousy, envy, revenge. It is the self- a.s.serting mortal will-power that you must guard against. [5]

But I find also another mental condition of yours that fills me with joy. I learned long ago that the world could neither deprive me of something nor give me anything, and I have now one ambition and one joy. But if one cherishes ambition unwisely, one will be chastened [10]

for it.