Think——noteitwell。'
  'But——whatdoesitmean?'
  'Listen,andyouwillknow。Iquoteherinspiredwordsagain:"IntheopeningoftheSixthSeal,typicalofsixthousandyearssinceAdam,thereisonedistinctivefeaturewhichhasspecialreferencetothepresentage。Thus:
  '"Revelationxii。1。Andthereappearedagreatwonderinheaven——awomanclothedwiththesun,andthemoonunderherfeet,anduponherheadacrownoftwelvestars。"
  'ThatisourHead,ourChief,ourDiscovererofChristianScience——
  nothingcanbeplainer,nothingsurer。Andnotethis:
  '"Revelationxii。6。Andthewomanfledintothewilderness,whereshehadaplacepreparedofGod。"
  'ThatisBoston。'
  'Irecogniseit,madam。Thesearesublimethingsandimpressive;Ineverunderstoodthesepassagesbefore;pleasegoonwiththe——withthe——
  proofs。'
  'Verywell。Listen:
  '"AndIsawanothermightyangelcomedownfromheaven,clothedwithacloud;andarainbowwasuponhishead,andhisfacewasasitwerethesun,andhisfeetaspillarsoffire。Andhehadinhishandalittlebook。"
  'Alittlebook,merelyalittlebook——couldwordsbemodester?Yethowstupendousitsimportance!Doyouknowwhatbookthatwas?'
  'Wasit——'
  'Iholditinmyhand——"ChristianScience"!'
  'Love,Livers,Lights,Bones,Truth,Kidneys,oneofaseries,aloneandwithoutequal——itisbeyondimaginationandwonder!'
  'HearourFounder'seloquentwords:"Thenwillavoicefromharmonycry,'Goandtakethelittlebook;takeitandeatitup,anditshallmakethybellybitter;butitshallbeinthymouthsweetashoney。'Mortal,obeytheheavenlyevangel。TakeupDivineScience。Readitfrombeginningtoend。Studyit,ponderit。Itwillbeindeedsweetatitsfirsttaste,whenithealsyou;butmurmurnotoverTruth,ifyoufinditsdigestionbitter。"YounowknowthehistoryofourdearandholyScience,sir,andthatitsoriginisnotofthisearth,butonlyitsdiscovery。Iwillleavethebookwithyouandwillgo,now,butgiveyourselfnouneasiness——IwillgiveyouabsenttreatmentfromnowtillI
  gotobed。'
  III
  Underthepowerfulinfluenceoftheneartreatmentandtheabsenttreatmenttogether,mybonesweregraduallyretreatinginwardanddisappearingfromview。Thegoodwordtookabriskstart,now,andwentonquiteswiftly。Mybodywasdiligentlystrainingandstretching,thiswayandthat,toaccommodatetheprocessesofrestoration,andeveryminuteortwoIheardadullclickinsideandknewthatthetwoendsofafracturehadbeensuccessfullyjoined。Thismuffledclickingandgrittingandgrindingandraspingcontinuedduringthenextthreehours,andthenstopped——theconnectionshadallbeenmade。Allexceptdislocations;therewereonlysevenofthese:hips,shoulders,knees,neck;sothatwassoonover;oneafteranothertheyslippedintotheirsocketswithasoundlikepullingadistantcork,andIjumpedupasgoodasnew,astoframework,andsentforthehorse-doctor。
  IwasobligedtodothisbecauseIhadastomach-acheandacoldinthehead,andIwasnotwillingtotrustthesethingsanylongerinthehandsofawomanwhomIdidnotknow,andinwhoseabilitytosuccessfullytreatmerediseaseIhadlostallconfidence。Mypositionwasjustifiedbythefactthatthecoldandtheachehadbeeninherchargefromthefirst,alongwiththefractures,buthadexperiencednotashadeofrelief;andindeedtheachewasevengrowingworseandworse,andmoreandmorebitter,now,probablyonaccountoftheprotractedabstentionfromfoodanddrink。
  Thehorse-doctorcame,apleasantmanandfullofhopeandprofessionalinterestinthecase。Inthematterofsmellhewasprettyaromatic,infactquitehorsey,andItriedtoarrangewithhimforabsenttreatment,butitwasnotinhisline,sooutofdelicacyIdidnotpressit。Helookedatmyteethandexaminedmyhock,andsaidmyageandgeneralconditionwerefavourabletoenergeticmeasures;thereforehewouldgivemesomethingtoturnthestomach-acheintothebottsandthecoldintheheadintotheblindstaggers;thenheshouldbeonhisownbeatandwouldknowwhattodo。Hemadeupabucketofbran-mash,andsaidadipperfulofiteverytwohours,alternatedwithadrenchwithturpentineandaxle-greaseinit,wouldeitherknockmyailmentsoutofmeintwenty-fourhoursorsointerestmeinotherwaysastomakemeforgettheywereonthepremises。Headministeredmyfirstdosehimself,thentookhisleave,sayingIwasfreetoeatanddrinkanythingIpleasedandinanyquantityIliked。ButIwasnothungryanymore,anddidnotcareforfood。
  Itookupthe'ChristianScientist'bookandreadhalfofit,thentookadipperfulofdrenchandreadtheotherhalf。Theresultingexperienceswerefullofinterestandadventure。AllthroughtherumblingsandgrindingsandquakingsandeffervescingsaccompanyingtheevolutionoftheacheintothebottsandthecoldintotheblindstaggersIcouldnotethegenerousstruggleformasterygoingonbetweenthemashandthedrenchandtheliterature;andoftenIcouldtellwhichwasahead,andcouldeasilydistinguishtheliteraturefromtheotherswhentheotherswereseparate,thoughnotwhentheyweremixed;forwhenabran-mashandaneclecticdrencharemixedtogethertheylookjustliketheApodicticalPrincipleoutonalark,andnoonecantellitfromthat。Thefinishwasreachedatlast,theevolutionswerecompleteandafinesuccess;butIthinkthatthisresultcouldhavebeenachievedwithfewermaterials。
  Ibelievethemashwasnecessarytotheconversionofthestomach-acheintotheboots,butIthinkonecoulddeveloptheblindstaggersoutoftheliteraturebyitself;also,thatblindstaggersproducedinthiswaywouldbeofabetterqualityandmorelastingthananyproducedbytheartificialprocessesofahorse-doctor。
  Forofallthestrange,andfrantic,andincomprehensible,anduninterpretablebookswhichtheimaginationofmanhascreated,surelythisoneistheprizesample。Itiswrittenwithalimitlessconfidenceandcomplacency,andwithadashandstirandearnestnesswhichoftencompeltheeffectsofeloquence,evenwhenthewordsdonotseemtohaveanytraceablemeaning。Thereareplentyofpeoplewhoimaginetheyunderstandthebook;Iknowthis,forIhavetalkedwiththem;butinallcasestheywerepeoplewhoalsoimaginedthattherewerenosuchthingsaspain,sickness,anddeath,andnorealitiesintheworld;nothingactuallyexistentbutMind。Itseemstometomodifythevalueoftheirtestimony。WhenthesepeopletalkaboutChristianSciencetheydoasMrs。Fullerdid;theydonotusetheirownlanguage,butthebook's;theypouroutthebook'sshowyincoherences,andleaveyoutofindoutlaterthattheywerenotoriginating,butmerelyquoting;theyseemtoknowthevolumebyheart,andtorevereitastheywouldaBible——anotherBible,perhapsIoughttosay。PlainlythebookwaswrittenunderthementaldesolationsoftheThirdDegree,andIfeelsurethatnonebutthemembershipofthatDegreecandiscovermeaningsinit。Whenyoureadityouseemtobelisteningtoalivelyandaggressiveandoracularspeechdeliveredinanunknowntongue,aspeechwhosespirityougetbutnottheparticulars;or,tochangethefigure,youseemtobelisteningtoavigorousinstrumentwhichismakinganoiseitthinksisatune,butwhichtopersonsnotmembersofthebandisonlythemartialtootingofatrombone,andmerelystirsthesoulthroughthenoisebutdoesnotconveyameaning。
  Thebook'sserenitiesofself-satisfactiondoalmostseemtosmackofaheavenlyorigin——theyhavenoblood-kinintheearth。Itismorethanhumantobesoplacidlycertainaboutthings,andsofinelysuperior,andsoairilycontentwithone'sperformance。WithouteverpresentinganythingwhichmayrightfullybecalledbythestrongnameofEvidence,andsometimeswithoutevenmentioningareasonforadeductionatall,itthundersoutthestartlingwords,'IhaveProved'soandso!IttakesthePopeandallthegreatgunsofhischurchinbatteryassembledtoauthoritativelysettleandestablishthemeaningofasoleandsingleunclarifiedpassageofScripture,andthisatvastcostoftimeandstudyandreflection,buttheauthorofthisworkissuperiortoallthat:shefindsthewholeBibleinanunclarifiedcondition,andatsmallexpenseoftimeandnoexpenseofmentaleffortsheclarifiesitfromlidtolid,reorganisesandimprovesthemeanings,thenauthoritativelysettlesandestablishesthemwithformulaewhichyoucannottellfrom'Lettherebelight!'and'Hereyouhaveit!'Itisthefirsttimesincethedawn-daysofCreationthataVoicehasgonecrashingthroughspacewithsuchplacidandcomplacentconfidenceandcommand。
  IV
  Aworduponaquestionofauthorship。Notthatquite;but,rather,aquestionofemendationandrevision。WeknowthattheBible-AnnexwasnotwrittenbyMrs。Eddy,butwashandeddowntohereighteenhundredyearsagobytheAngeloftheApocalypse;butdidshetranslateitalone,ordidshehavehelp?Thereseemstobeevidencethatshehadhelp。Fortherearefourseveralcopyrightsonit——1875,1885,1890,1894。ItdidnotcomedowninEnglish,forinthatlanguageitcouldnothaveacquiredcopyright——therewerenocopyrightlawseighteencenturiesago,andinmyopinionnoEnglishlanguage——atleastupthere。ThismakesitsubstantiallycertainthattheAnnexisatranslation。Then,wasnotthefirsttranslationcomplete?Ifitwas,onwhatgroundswerethelatercopyrightsgranted?
  Isurmisethatthefirsttranslationwaspoor;andthatafriendorfriendsofMrs。EddymendeditsEnglishthreetimes,andfinallygotitintoitspresentshape,wherethegrammarisplentygoodenough,andthesentencesaresmoothandplausiblethoughtheydonotmeananything。I
  thinkIamrightinthissurmise,forMrs。EddycannotwriteEnglishto-day,andthisisargumentthatshenevercould。Iamnotabletoguesswhodidthemending,butIthinkitwasnotdonebyanymemberoftheEddyTrust,norbytheeditorsofthe'ChristianScienceJournal,'
  fortheirEnglishisnotmuchbetterthanMrs。Eddy's。
  However,astothemainpoint:itiscertainthatMrs。EddydidnotdoctortheAnnex'sEnglishherself。Heroriginal,spontaneous,undoctoredEnglishfurnishesampleproofofthis。Herearesamplesfromrecentarticlesfromherunappeasablepen;doublecolumnedwiththemareacoupleofpassagesfromtheAnnex。Itwillbeseenthattheythrowlight。Theitalicsaremine:
  1。'Whatplaguespot,'Thereforetheefficientorbacilliweresicgnawingremedyistodestroythesicattheheartofthispatient'sunfortunatebelief,metropolis……andbringingbybothsilentlyandaudiblyitonbendedknee?arguingtheoppositefactsinWhy,itwasaninstitutethatregardtoharmoniousbeinghadentereditsvitalssicrepresentingmanasthat,amongotherthings,healthfulinsteadofdiseased,taughtgames,'etcetera。P。andshowingthatitis670,'C。S。Journal,'articleimpossibleformattertosuffer,entitled'ANarrative-bytofeelpainorheat,tobeMaryBakerG。Eddy。'thirstyorsick。'P。375,Annex。
  2。'Parkssprangupsic……
  electricstreetcarsrun'Manisneversick;forsicmerrilythroughseveralMindisnotsick,andmatterstreets,concretesidewalkscannotbe。Afalsebeliefandmacadamisedroadsdottedisboththetempterandthesictheplace,'etcetera。tempted,thesinandtheIbid。sinner,thediseaseandits3。'Shornsicofitscause。Itiswelltobecalmsuburbsithadindeedlittleinsickness;tobehopefulislefttoadmire,savetosicstillbetter;buttosuchasfancyaskeletonunderstandthatsicknessisnotabovegroundbreathingsicreal,andthatTruthcanslowlythroughabarrensicdestroyit,isbestofall,forbreast。'Ibid。itistheuniversalandperfectremedy。'Chapterxii。,Annex。
  Younoticethecontrastbetweenthesmooth,plausible,elegant,addledEnglishofthedoctoredAnnexandthelumbering,ragged,ignorantoutputofthetranslator'snatural,spontaneous,andunmedicatedpenwork。TheEnglishoftheAnnexhasbeenslickedupbyaveryindustriousandpainstakinghand——butitwasnotMrs。Eddy's。
  IfMrs。EddyreallywroteortranslatedtheAnnex,heroriginaldraftwasexactlyinharmonywiththeEnglishofherplague-spotorbacilliwhichweregnawingattheinsidesofthemetropolisandbringingitsheartonbendedknee,thusexposingtotheeyetherestoftheskeletonbreathingslowlythroughabarrenbreast。Anditborelittleornoresemblancetothebookaswehaveitnow——nowthatthesalariedpolisherhasholystonedallofthegenuineEddytiesoutofit。
  Willtheplague-spotarticlegointoavolumejustasitstands?Ithinknot。Ithinkthepolisherwilltakeoffhiscoatandvestandcravatand'demonstrateover'itacoupleofweeksandsweatitintoashapesomethinglikethefollowing——andthenMrs。Eddywillpublishitandleavepeopletobelievethatshedidthepolishingherself:
  1。Whatinjuriousinfluencewasitthatwasaffectingthecity'smorals?
  Itwasasocialclubwhichpropagatedaninterestinidleamusements,disseminatedaknowledgeofgames,etcetera。
  2。Bythemagicofthenewandnoblerinfluencesthesterilespacesweretransformedintowoodedparks,themerryelectriccarreplacedthemelancholy'bus,smoothconcretethetempestuousplanksidewalk,themacadamisedroadtheprimitivecorduroy,etcetera。
  3。Itspleasantsuburbsgone,therewaslittlelefttoadmiresavethewreckedgraveyardwithitsuncannyexposures。
  TheAnnexcontainsonesoleandsolitaryhumorousremark。ThereisamostelaborateandvoluminousIndex,anditisprecededbythisnote:
  'ThisIndexwillenablethestudenttofindanythoughtorideacontainedinthebook。'
  V
  Noonedoubts——certainlynotI——thatthemindexercisesapowerfulinfluenceoverthebody。Fromthebeginningoftime,thesorcerer,theinterpreterofdreams,thefortune-teller,thecharlatan,thequack,thewildmedicine-man,theeducatedphysician,themesmerist,andthehypnotisthavemadeuseoftheclient'simaginationtohelpthemintheirwork。Theyhaveallrecognisedthepotencyandavailabilityofthatforce。Physicianscuremanypatientswithabreadpill;theyknowthatwherethediseaseisonlyafancy,thepatient'sconfidenceinthedoctorwillmakethebreadpilleffective。
  Faithinthedoctor。Perhapsthatistheentirething。Itseemstolooklikeit。InoldtimestheKingcuredtheking'sevilbythetouchoftheroyalhand。Hefrequentlymadeextraordinarycures。Couldhisfootmanhavedoneit?No——notinhisownclothes。DisguisedastheKing,couldhehavedoneit?Ithinkwemaynotdoubtit。IthinkwemayfeelsurethatitwasnottheKing'stouchthatmadethecureinanyinstance,butthepatient'sfaithintheefficacyofaKing'stouch。Genuineandremarkablecureshavebeenachievedthroughcontactwiththerelicsofasaint。Isitnotlikelythatanyotherboneswouldhavedoneaswellifthesubstitutionhadbeenconcealedfromthepatient?WhenIwasaboy,afarmer'swifewholivedfivemilesfromourvillage,hadgreatfameasafaith-doctor——thatwaswhatshecalledherself。Suffererscametoherfromallaround,andshelaidherhanduponthemandsaid,'Havefaith——
  itisallthatisnecessary,'andtheywentawaywelloftheirailments。
  Shewasnotareligiouswoman,andpretendedtonooccultpowers。Shesaidthatthepatient'sfaithinherdidthework。SeveraltimesIsawhermakeimmediatecuresofseveretoothaches。Mymotherwasthepatient。InAustriathereisapeasantwhodrivesagreattradeinthissortofindustryandhasboththehighandthelowforpatients。Hegetsintoprisoneverynowandthenforpractisingwithoutadiploma,buthisbusinessisasbriskaseverwhenhegetsout,forhisworkisunquestionablysuccessfulandkeepshisreputationhigh。InBavariathereisamanwhoperformedsomanygreatcuresthathehadtoretirefromhisprofessionofstage-carpenteringinordertomeetthedemandofhisconstantlyincreasingbodyofcustomers。Hegoesonfromyeartoyeardoinghismiracles,andhasbecomeveryrich。Hepretendstonoreligioushelps,nosupernaturalaids,butthinksthereissomethinginhismake-upwhichinspirestheconfidenceofhispatients,andthatitisthisconfidencewhichdoestheworkandnotsomemysteriouspowerissuingfromhimself。
  Withinthelastquarterofacentury,inAmerica,severalsectsofcurershaveappearedundervariousnamesandhavedonenotablethingsinthewayofhealingailmentswithouttheuseofmedicines。TherearetheMindCure,theFaithCure,thePrayerCure,theMental-ScienceCure,andtheChristian-ScienceCure;andapparentlytheyalldotheirmiracleswiththesameoldpowerfulinstrument——thepatient'simagination。Differingnames,butnodifferenceintheprocess。Buttheydonotgivethatinstrumentthecredit;eachsectclaimsthatitswaydiffersfromthewaysoftheothers。
  Theyallachievesomecures,thereisnoquestionaboutit;andtheFaithCureandthePrayerCureprobablydonoharmwhentheydonogood,sincetheydonotforbidthepatienttohelpoutthecurewithmedicinesifhewantsto;buttheothersbarmedicines,andclaimabilitytocureeveryconceivablehumanailmentthroughtheapplicationoftheirmentalforcesalone。Theyclaimabilitytocuremalignantcancer,andotheraffectionswhichhaveneverbeencuredinthehistoryoftherace。Therewouldseemtobeanelementofdangerhere。Ithasthelookofclaimingtoomuch,I
  think。Publicconfidencewouldprobablybeincreasediflesswereclaimed。
  Ibelieveitmightbeshownthatallthe'mind'sectsexceptChristianSciencehavelucidintervals;intervalsinwhichtheybetraysomediffidence,andineffectconfessthattheyarenottheequalsoftheDeity;butiftheChristianScientistevenstopswithbeingmerelytheequaloftheDeity,itisnotclearlyprovablebyhisChristian-ScienceAmendedBible。IntheusualBibletheDeityrecognisespain,disease,anddeathasfacts,buttheChristianScientistknowsbetter。Knowsbetter,andisnotdiffidentaboutsayingso。
  TheChristianScientistwasnotabletocuremystomach-acheandmycold;
  butthehorse-doctordidit。ThisconvincesmethatChristianScienceclaimstoomuch。Inmyopinionitoughttoletdiseasesaloneandconfineitselftosurgery。Thereitwouldhaveeverythingitsownway。
  Thehorse-doctorchargedmethirtykreutzers,andIpaidhim;infactI
  doubleditandgavehimashilling。Mrs。Fullerbroughtinanitemisedbillforacrateofbrokenbonesmendedintwohundredandthirty-fourplaces——onedollarperfracture。
  'NothingexistsbutMind?'
  'Nothing,'sheanswered。'Allelseissubstanceless,allelseisimaginary。'
  Igaveheranimaginarycheque,andnowsheissuingmeforsubstantialdollars。Itlooksinconsistent。
  VI
  Letusconsiderthatweareallpartiallyinsane。Itwillexplainustoeachother,itwillunriddlemanyriddles,itwillmakeclearandsimplemanythingswhichareinvolvedinhauntingandharassingdifficultiesandobscuritiesnow。
  Thoseofuswhoarenotintheasylum,andnotdemonstrablyduethere,areneverthelessnodoubtinsaneinoneortwoparticulars——Ithinkwemustadmitthis;butIthinkthatweareotherwisehealthy-minded。I
  thinkthatwhenweallseeonethingalike,itisevidencethatasregardsthatonething,ourmindsareperfectlysound。Nowtherearereallyseveralthingswhichwedoallseealike;thingswhichweallaccept,andaboutwhichwedonotdispute。Forinstance,wewhoareoutsideoftheasylumallagreethatwaterseeksitslevel;thatthesungiveslightandheat;thatfireconsumes;thatfogisdamp;that6times6arethirty-six;that2from10leaveeight;that8and7arefifteen。
  Theseareperhapstheonlythingsweareagreedabout;butalthoughtheyaresofew,theyareofinestimablevalue,becausetheymakeaninfalliblestandardofsanity。Whosoeveracceptsthemweknowtobesubstantiallysane;sufficientlysane;intheworkingessentials,sane。
  Whoeverdisputesasingleoneofthemweknowtobewhollyinsane,andqualifiedfortheasylum。
  Verywell,themanwhodisputesnoneofthemweconcedetobeentitledtogoatlarge——butthatisconcessionenough;wecannotgoanyfurtherthanthat;forweknowthatinallmattersofmereopinionthatsamemanisinsane——justasinsaneasweare;justasinsaneasShakespearewas,justasinsaneasthePopeis。Weknowexactlywheretoputourfingeruponhisinsanity;itiswherehisopiniondiffersfromours。
  Thatisasimplerule,andeasytoremember。WhenI,athoughtfulandunbiasedPresbyterian,examinetheKoran,IknowthatbeyondanyquestioneveryMohammedanisinsane;notinallthings,butinreligiousmatters。
  WhenathoughtfulandunbiasedMohammedanexaminestheWestminsterCatechism,heknowsthatbeyondanyquestionIamspirituallyinsane。I
  cannotprovetohimthatheisinsane,becauseyounevercanproveanythingtoalunatic——forthatisapartofhisinsanityandtheevidenceofit。HecannotprovetomethatIaminsane,formymindhasthesamedefectthatafflictshis。Alldemocratsareinsane,butnotoneofthemknowsit;nonebuttherepublicansandmugwumpsknowit。Alltherepublicansareinsane,butonlythedemocratsandmugwumpscanperceiveit。Theruleisperfect;inallmattersofopinionouradversariesareinsane。WhenIlookaroundmeIamoftentroubledtoseehowmanypeoplearemad。Tomentiononlyafew:
  TheAtheist,TheShakers,TheInfidel,TheMillerites,TheAgnostic,TheMormons,TheBaptist,TheLaurenceOliphantTheMethodist,Harrisites,TheCatholic,andtheotherTheGrandLama'speople,115Christiansects,theTheMonarchists,Presbyterianexcepted,TheImperialists,The72Mohammedansects,TheDemocrats,TheBuddhist,TheRepublicansbutnotTheBlavatsky-Buddhist,theMugwumps,TheNationalist,TheMind-Curists,TheConfucian,TheFaith-Curists,TheSpiritualist,TheMentalScientists,The2,000EastIndianTheAllopaths,sects,TheHomeopaths,ThePeculiarPeople,TheElectropaths,TheSwedenborgians,The——butthere'snoendtothelist;therearemillionsofthem!Andallinsane;eachinhisownway;insaneastohispetfadoropinion,butotherwisesaneandrational。
  Thisshouldmoveustobecharitabletowardoneanother'slunacies。I
  recognisethatinhisspecialbelieftheChristianScientistisinsane,becausehedoesnotbelieveasIdo;butIhailhimasmymateandfellowbecauseIamasinsaneashe——insanefromhispointofview,andhispointofviewisasauthoritativeasmineandworthasmuch。Thatistosay,worthabrassfarthing。Uponagreatreligiousorpoliticalquestiontheopinionofthedullestheadintheworldisworththesameastheopinionofthebrightestheadintheworld——abrassfarthing。Howdowearriveatthis?Itissimple:Theaffirmativeopinionofastupidmanisneutralisedbythenegativeopinionofhisstupidneighbour——nodecisionisreached;theaffirmativeopinionoftheintellectualgiantGladstoneisneutralisedbythenegativeopinionoftheintellectualgiantCardinalNewman——nodecisionisreached。Opinionsthatprovenothingare,ofcourse,withoutvalue——anybutadeadpersonknowsthatmuch。Thisobligesustoadmitthetruthoftheunpalatablepropositionjustmentionedabove——thatindisputedmatterspoliticalandreligiousoneman'sopinionisworthnomorethanhispeer's,andhenceitfollowsthatnoman'sopinionpossessesanyrealvalue。Itisahumblingthought,butthereisnowaytogetaroundit:allopinionsuponthesegreatsubjectsarebrass-farthingopinions。
  Itisamereplainsimplefact——asclearandascertainasthat8and7
  makefifteen。Andbyitwerecognisethatweareallinsane,asconcernsthosematters。Ifweweresaneweshouldallseeapoliticalorreligiousdoctrinealike,therewouldbenodispute:itwouldbeacaseof8and7——justasitisinheaven,whereallaresaneandnoneinsane。
  Therethereisbutonereligion,onebelief,theharmonyisperfect,thereisneveradiscordantnote。
  UnderprotectionofthesepreliminariesIsupposeImaynowrepeatwithoutoffencethattheChristianScientistisinsane。Imeanhimnodiscourtesy,andIamnotcharging——norevenimagining——thatheisinsanerthantherestofthehumanrace。Ithinkheismorepicturesquelyinsanethatsomeofus。Atthesametime,Iamquitesurethatinoneimportantandsplendidparticularheissanerthanisthevastbulkoftherace。
  Whyisheinsane?Itoldyoubefore:itisbecausehisopinionsarenotours。Iknowofnootherreason,andIdonotneedanyother;itistheonlywaywehaveofdiscoveringinsanitywhenitisnotviolent。Itismerelythepicturesquenessofhisinsanitythatmakesitmoreinterestingthanmykindoryours。Forinstance,considerhis'littlebook'——theonedescribedinthepreviousarticle;the'littlebook'exposedintheskyeighteencenturiesagobytheflamingangeloftheApocalypseandhandeddowninourdaytoMrs。MaryBakerG。EddyofNewHampshireandtranslatedbyher,wordforword,intoEnglishwithhelpofapolisher,andnowpublishedanddistributedinhundredsofeditionsbyherataclearprofitpervolume,abovecost,of700percent。!——aprofitwhichdistinctlybelongstotheangeloftheApocalypse,andlethimcollectitifhecan;a'littlebook'whichtheC。S。veryfrequentlycallsbyjustthatname,andalwaysinclosedinquotation-markstokeepitshighoriginexultantlyinmind;a'littlebook'which'explains'andreconstructsandnew-paintsanddecoratestheBibleandputsamansardroofonitandalightning-rodandalltheothermodernimprovements;alittlebookwhichforthepresentaffectstotravelinyokewiththeBibleandbefriendlytoit,andwithinhalfacenturywillhitchitintherear,andthenceforthtraveltandem,itselfinthelead,inthecominggreatmarchofChristianScientismthroughtheProtestantdominionsoftheplanet。
  PerhapsIamputtingthetandemarrangementtoofaraway;perhapsfiveyearsmightbenearerthemarkthanfifty;foraVienneseladytoldmelastnightthatintheChristianScienceMosqueinBostonshenoticedsomethingswhichseemtometopromiseashorteningoftheinterval;ononesidetherewasadisplayoftextsfromtheNewTestament,signedwiththeSaviour'sinitials,'J。C。;'andontheoppositesideadisplayoftextsfromthe'littlebook'signed——withtheauthor'smereinitials?
  No——signedwithMrs。MaryBakerG。Eddy'snameinfull。PerhapstheAngeloftheApocalypselikesthiskindofpiracy。ImadethisremarklightlytoaChristianScientistthismorning,buthedidnotreceiveitlightly,butsaiditwasjestinguponholythings;hesaidtherewasnopiracy,fortheangeldidnotcomposethebook,heonlybroughtit——'Godcomposedit。'Icouldhaveretortedthatitwasacaseofpiracyjustthesame;thatthedisplayedtextsshouldbesignedwiththeAuthor'sinitials,andthattosignthemwiththetranslator'strainofnameswasanothercaseof'jestinguponholythings。'However,Ididnotsaythesethings,forthisScientistwasalargeperson,andalthoughbyhisowndoctrinewehavenosubstance,butarefictionsandunrealities,Iknewhecouldhitmeanimaginaryblowwhichwouldfurnishmeanimaginarypainwhichcouldlastmeaweek。TheladysaidthatinthatMosquethereweretwopulpits;inoneofthemwasamanwiththeFormerBible,intheotherawomanwithMrs。Eddy'sapocalypticAnnex;andfromthesebooksthemanandthewomanwerereadingverseandverseabout:
  'HungryonesthrongtoheartheBiblereadinconnectionwiththetext-bookofChristianScience,"ScienceandHealth,withKeytotheScriptures,"byMaryBakerG。Eddy。Theseareouronlypreachers。
  TheyarethewordofGod。'——ChristianScienceJournal,October1898。
  Arethesethingspicturesque?TheVienneseladytoldmethatinachapeloftheMosquetherewasapictureorimageofMrs。Eddy,andthatbeforeitburnsanever-extinguishedlight。Isthatpicturesque?HowlongdoyouthinkitwillbebeforetheChristianScientistwillbeworshippingthatimageandprayingtoit?HowlongdoyouthinkitwillbebeforeitisclaimedthatMrs。EddyisaRedeemer,aChrist,orChrist'sequal?
  Alreadyherarmyofdisciplesspeakofherreverentlyas'OurMother。'
  HowlongwillitbebeforetheyplaceheronthestepsoftheThronebesidetheVirgin——andlaterastephigher?First,MarytheVirginandMarytheMatron;later,withachangeofPrecedence,MarytheMatronandMarytheVirgin。Lettheartistgetreadywithhiscanvasandhisbrushes;thenewRenaissanceisonitsway,andtherewillbemoneyinaltar-canvases——athousandtimesasmuchasthePopesandtheirChurcheverspentontheOldMasters;fortheirricheswereaspovertyascomparedwithwhatisgoingtopourintothetreasure-chestoftheChristian-ScientistPapacyby-and-by,letusnotdoubtit。Wewillexaminethefinancialoutlookpresentlyandseewhatitpromises。A
  favouritesubjectofthenewOldMasterwillbethefirstverseofthetwelfthchapterofRevelation——aversewhichMrs。EddysaysinherAnnextotheScriptureshas'onedistinctivefeaturewhichhasspecialreferencetothepresentage'——andtoher,asisratherpointedlyindicated:
  'Andthereappearedagreatwonderinheaven——awomanclothedwiththesunandthemoonunderherfeet,'etc。
  ThewomanclothedwiththesunwillbeaportraitofMrs。Eddy。
  IsitinsanitytobelievethatChristianScientismisdestinedtomakethemostformidableshowthatanynewreligionhasmadeintheworldsincethebirthandspreadofMohammedanism,andthatwithinacenturyfromnowitmaystandsecondtoRomeonly,innumbersandpowerinChristendom?
  Ifthisisawilddreamitwillnotbeeasytoproveitissojustyet,I
  think。Thereseemsargumentthatitmaycometrue。TheChristian-Science'boom'isnotyetfiveyearsold;yetalreadyithas500churchesand1,000,000membersinAmerica。
  Ithasitsstart,yousee,anditisaphenomenallygoodone。Moreover,itislatterlyspreadingwithaconstantlyacceleratingswiftness。Ithasabetterchancetogrowandprosperandachievepermanencythananyotherexisting'ism;'forithasmoretoofferthananyother。Thepastteachesusthat,inordertosucceed,amovementlikethismustnotbeamerephilosophy,itmustbeareligion;also,thatitmustnotclaimentireoriginality,butcontentitselfwithpassingforanimprovementonanexistingreligion,andshowitshandlater,whenstrongandprosperous——likeMohammedanism。
  Next,theremustbemoney——andplentyofit。
  Next,thepowerandauthorityandcapitalmustbeconcentratedinthegripofasmallandirresponsibleclique,withnobodyoutsideprivilegedtoaskquestionsorfindfault。
  Next,asbeforeremarked,itmustbaititshookwithsomenewandattractiveadvantagesoverthebaitsofferedbytheotherreligions。
  Anewmovementequippedwithsomeoftheseendowments——likespiritualism,forinstance——maycountuponaconsiderablesuccess;anewmovementequippedwiththebulkofthem——likeMohammedanism,forinstance——maycountuponawidelyextendedconquest。Mormonismhadalltherequisitesbutone——ithadnothingnewandnothingvaluabletobaitwith;and,besides,itappealedtothestupidandtheignorantonly。Spiritualismlackedtheimportantdetailofconcentrationofmoneyandauthorityinthehandsofanirresponsibleclique。
  Theaboveequipmentisexcellent,admirable,powerful,butnotperfect。
  Thereisyetanotherdetailwhichisworththewholeofitputtogether——
  andmore;adetailwhichhasneverbeenjoinedinthebeginningofareligiousmovementtoasupremelygoodworkingequipmentsincetheworldbegan,untilnow:anewpersonagetoworship。ChristianityhadtheSaviour,butatfirstandforgenerationsitlackedmoneyandconcentratedpower。InMrs。Eddy,ChristianSciencepossessesthenewpersonageforworship,andinaddition——hereintheverybeginning——aworkingequipmentthathasnotaflawinit。Inthebeginning,Mohammedanismhadnomoney;andithasneverhadanythingtoofferitsclientbutheaven——nothingherebelowthatwasvaluable。Inadditiontoheavenhereafter,ChristianSciencehaspresenthealthandacheerfulspirittooffer——forcash——andincomparisonwiththisbribeallotherthis-worldbribesarepoorandcheap。Yourecognisethatthisestimateisadmissible,doyounot?
  TowhomdoesBellamy's'Nationalism'appeal?Necessarilytothefew:
  peoplewhoreadanddream,andarecompassionate,andtroubledforthepoorandthehard-driven。TowhomdoesSpiritualismappeal?Necessarilytothefew;its'boom'haslastedforhalfacenturyandIbelieveitclaimsshortoffourmillionsofadherentsinAmerica。WhoareattractedbySwedenborgianismandsomeoftheotherfineanddelicate'isms?'Thefewagain:Educatedpeople,sensitivelyorganised,withsuperiormentalendowments,whoseekloftyplanesofthoughtandfindtheircontentmentthere。AndwhoareattractedbyChristianScience?Thereisnolimit;
  itsfieldishorizonless;itsappealisasuniversalasistheappealofChristianityitself。Itappealstotherich,thepoor,thehigh,thelow,thecultured,theignorant,thegifted,thestupid,themodest,thevain,thewise,thesilly,thesoldier,thecivilian,thehero,thecoward,theidler,theworker,thegodly,thegodless,thefreeman,theslave,theadult,thechild;theywhoareailing,theywhohavefriendsthatareailing。Tomassitinaphrase,itsclienteleistheHumanRace?Willitmarch?Ithinkso。
  VII
  Rememberitsprincipalgreatoffer:toridtheRaceofpainanddisease。
  Canitdoit?Inlargemeasure,yes。Howmuchofthepainanddiseaseintheworldiscreatedbytheimaginationsofthesufferers,andthenkeptalivebythosesameimaginations?Four-fifths?NotanythingshortofthatIshouldthink。CanChristianSciencebanishthatfour-fifths?
  Ithinkso。Cananyotherorganisedforcedoit?NonethatIknowof。
  Wouldthisbeanewworldwhenthatwasaccomplished?Andapleasanterone——foruswellpeople,aswellasforthosefussyandfrettingsickones?Woulditseemasiftherewasnotasmuchgloomyweatherasthereusedtobe?Ithinkso。
  InthemeantimewouldtheScientistkilloffagoodmanypatients?I
  thinkso。Morethangetkilledoffnowbythelegalisedmethods?Iwilltakeupthatquestionpresently。
  AtpresentIwishtoaskyoutoexaminesomeoftheScientist'sperformances,asregisteredinhismagazine,'TheChristianScienceJournal'——Octobernumber,1898。First,aBaptistclergymangivesusthistruepictureof'theaverageorthodoxChristian'——andhecouldhaveaddedthatitisatruepictureoftheaveragecivilisedhumanbeing:
  'Heisaworriedandfrettedandfearfulman;afraidofhimselfandhispropensities,afraidofcoldsandfevers,afraidoftreadingonserpentsordrinkingdeadlythings。'
  Thenhegivesusthiscontrast:
  'TheaverageChristianScientisthasputallanxietyandfrettingunderhisfeet。HedoeshaveavictoryoverfearandcarethatisnotachievedbytheaverageorthodoxChristian。'
  Hehasputallanxietyandfrettingunderhisfeet。Whatproportionofyourearningsorincomewouldyoubewillingtopayforthatframeofmind,yearinyearout?Itreallyoutvaluesanypricethatcanbeputuponit。Wherecanyoupurchaseit,atanyoutlayofanysort,inanyChurchoroutofit,excepttheScientist's?
  Well,itistheanxietyandfrettingaboutcolds,andfevers,anddraughts,andgettingourfeetwet,andaboutforbiddenfoodeateninterrorofindigestion,thatbringsonthecoldandthefeverandtheindigestionandthemostofourotherailments;andso,iftheSciencecanbanishthatanxietyfromtheworldIthinkitcanreducetheworld'sdiseaseandpainaboutfour-fifths。
  InthisOctobernumbermanyoftheredeemedtestifyandgivethanks;andnotcoldlybutwithpassionategratitude。Asaruletheyseemdrunkwithhealth,andwiththesurpriseofit,thewonderofit,theunspeakablegloryandsplendourofit,afteralongsoberspellspentininventingimaginarydiseasesandconcretingthemwithdoctor-stuff。Thefirstwitnesstestifiesthatwhen'thismostbeautifulTruthfirstdawnedonhim'hehad'nearlyalltheillsthatfleshisheirto;'thatthosehedidnothavehethoughthehad——andthusmadethetaleaboutcomplete。
  Whatwasthenaturalresult?Why,hewasadump-pit'forallthedoctors,druggists,andpatentmedicinesofthecountry。'ChristianSciencecametohishelp,and'theoldsickconditionspassedaway,'andalongwiththemthe'dismalforebodings'whichhehadbeenaccustomedtoemployinconjuringupailments。Andsohewasahealthyandcheerfulman,now,andastonished。
  ButIamnotastonished,forfromothersourcesIknowwhatmusthavebeenhismethodofapplyingChristianScience。IfIamintheright,hewatchfullyanddiligentlydivertedhismindfromunhealthychannelsandcompelledittotravelinhealthyones。Nothingcontrivablebyhumaninventioncouldbemoreformidablyeffectivethanthat,inbanishingimaginaryailmentsandinclosingtheentrancesagainstsubsequentapplicantsoftheirbreed。Ithinkhismethodwastokeepsaying,'Iamwell!Iamsound!——soundandwell!wellandsound!Perfectlysound,perfectlywell!Ihavenopain;there'snosuchthingaspain!Ihavenodisease;there'snosuchthingasdisease!NothingisrealbutMind;allisMind,All-Good,Good-Good,Life,Soul,Liver,Bones,oneofaseries,anteandpassthebuck!'
  Idonotmeanthatthatwasexactlytheformulaused,butthatitdoubtlesscontainsthespiritofit。TheScientistwouldattachvaluetotheexactformula,nodoubt,andtothereligiousspiritinwhichitwasused。Ishouldthinkthatanyformulathatwoulddivertthemindfromunwholesomechannelsandforceitintohealthyoneswouldanswereverypurposewithsomepeople,thoughnotwithall。Ithinkitmostlikelythataveryreligiousmanwouldfindtheadditionofthereligiousspiritapowerfulreinforcementinhiscase。
  ThesecondwitnesstestifiesthattheSciencebanished'anoldorganictrouble'whichthedoctorandthesurgeonhadbeennursingwithdrugsandtheknifeforsevenyears。
  Hecallsithis'claim。'Asurface-minerwouldthinkitwasnothisclaimatall,butthepropertyofthedoctorandhispalthesurgeon——forhewouldbemisledbythatword,whichisChristian-Scienceslangfor'ailment。'TheChristianScientisthasnoailment;tohimthereisnosuchthing,andhewillnotusethelyingword。Allthathappenstohimis,thatuponhisattentionanimaginarydisturbancesometimesobtrudesitselfwhichclaimstobeanailment,butisn't。
  ThiswitnessofferstestimonyforaclergymanseventyyearsoldwhohadpreachedfortyyearsinaChristianchurch,andhasnotgoneovertothenewsect。Hewas'almostblindanddeaf。'HewastreatedbytheC。S。
  method,and'whenheheardthevoiceofTruthhesawspiritually。'Sawspiritually。Itisalittleindefinite;theyhadbettertreathimagain。
  Indefinitetestimoniesmightproperlybewaste-basketed,sincethereisevidentlynolackofdefiniteonesprocurable,butthisC。S。magazineispoorlyedited,andsomistakesofthiskindmustbeexpected。
  ThenextwitnessisasoldieroftheCivilWar。WhenChristianSciencefoundhim,hehadinstockthefollowingclaims:
  Indigestion,Rheumatism,Catarrh,ChalkydepositsinShoulderjoints,Armjoints,Handjoints,AtrophyofthemusclesofArms,Shoulders,Stiffnessofallthosejoints,Insomnia,Excruciatingpainsmostofthetime。
  Theseclaimshaveaverysubstantialsound。Theycameofexposureinthecampaigns。Thedoctorsdidalltheycould,butitwaslittle。Prayersweretried,but'Ineverrealisedanyphysicalrelieffromthatsource。'
  AfterthirtyyearsoftorturehewenttoaChristianScientistandtookanhour'streatmentandwenthomepainless。Twodayslaterhe'begantoeatlikeawellman。'Then'theclaimsvanished——someatonce,othersmoregradually;'finally,'theyhavealmostentirelydisappeared。'And——
  athingwhichisofstillgreatervalue——heisnow'contentedandhappy。'
  Thatisadetailwhich,asearlierremarked,isaScientist-Churchspecialty。Withthirty-oneyears'efforttheMethodistChurchhadnotsucceededinfurnishingittothisharassedsoldier。
  Andsothetalegoeson。Witnessafterwitnessbulletinshisclaims,declarestheirpromptabolishment,andgivesMrs。Eddy'sDiscoverythepraise。Milk-legiscured;nervousprostrationiscured;consumptioniscured;andSt。Vitus'sdancemadeapastime。AndnowandthenaninterestingnewadditiontotheScienceslangappearsonthepage。Wehave'demonstrationsover'chilblainsandsuchthings。Itseemstobeacurtailedwayofsaying'demonstrationsofthepowerofChristian-ScienceTruthoverthefictionwhichmasqueradesunderthenameofChilblains。'
  Thechildrenaswellastheadults,shareintheblessingsoftheScience。'Throughthestudyofthe"littlebook"theyarelearninghowtobehealthful,peaceful,andwise。'Sometimestheyarecuredoftheirlittleclaimsbytheprofessionalhealer,andsometimesmoreadvancedchildrensayovertheformulaandcurethemselves。
  AlittleFar-Westerngirlofnine,equippedwithanadultvocabulary,statesherageandsays,'IthoughtIwouldwriteademonstrationtoyou。'Shehadaclaimderivedfromgettingflungoverapony'sheadandlandedonarock-pile。Shesavedherselffromdisasterbyremembertosay'GodisAll'whileshewasintheair。Icouldn'thavedoneit。I
  shouldn'thaveeventhoughtofit。Ishouldhavebeentooexcited。
  NothingbutChristianSciencecouldhaveenabledthatchildtodothatcalmandthoughtfulandjudiciousthinginthosecircumstances。Shecamedownonherhead,andbyalltherulessheshouldhavebrokenit;buttheinterventionoftheformulapreventedthat,sotheonlyclaimresultingwasablackenedeye。Mondaymorningitwasstillswollenandshut。Atschool'ithurtprettybad——thatis,itseemedto。'So'Iwasexcused,andwentdowninthebasementandsaid,"NowIamdependingonmammainsteadofGod,andIwilldependonGodinsteadofmamma。"'Nodoubtthiswouldhaveanswered;but,tomakesure,sheaddedMrs。Eddytotheteamandrecited'theScientificStatementofBeing,'whichisoneoftheprincipalincantations,Ijudge。Then'Ifeltmyeyeopening。'Why,itwouldhaveopenedanoyster。Ithinkitisoneofthetouchingestthingsinchild-history,thatpiouslittleratdowncellarpumpingawayattheScientificStatementofBeing。
  Thereisapageaboutanothergoodchild——littleGordon。LittleGordon'cameintotheworldwithouttheassistanceofsurgeryoranaesthetics。'
  Hewasa'demonstration。'Apainlessone;thereforehiscomingevoked'joyandthankfulnesstoGodandtheDiscovererofChristianScience。'
  Itisanoticeablefeatureofthisliterature——thesofrequentlinkingtogetheroftheTwoBeingsinanequalbond;alsoofTheirTwoBibles。
  WhenlittleGordonwastwoyearsold,'hewasplayinghorseonthebed,whereIhadleftmy"littlebook。"Inoticedhimstopinhisplay,takethebookcarefullyinhislittlehands,kissitsoftly,thenlookaboutforthehighestplaceofsafetyhisarmscouldreach,andputitthere。'
  Thispiousactfilledthemother'withsuchatrainofthoughtasIhadneverexperiencedbefore。Ithoughtofthesweetmotheroflongagowhokeptthingsinherheart,'etc。Itisaboldcomparison;however,unconsciousprofanationsareaboutascommoninthemouthsofthelaymembershipofthenewChurchasarefrankandopenonesinthemouthsofitsconsecratedchiefs。
  Somedayslater,thefamilylibrary——ChristianSciencebooks——waslyinginadeep-seatedwindow。Itwasanotherchancefortheholychildtoshowoff。HelefthisplayandwentthereandpushedallthebookstoonesideexcepttheAnnex。'Ithetookinbothhands,slowlyraisedittohislips,thenremoveditcarefully,andseatedhimselfinthewindow。'Ithadseemedtothemothertoowonderfultobetrue,thatfirsttime;butnowshewasconvincedthat'neitherimaginationnoraccidenthadanythingtodowithit。'Later,littleGordonlettheauthorofhisbeingseehimdoit。Afterthathediditfrequently;
  probablyeverytimeanybodywaslooking。Iwouldratherhavethatchildthanachromo。Ifthistalehasanyobject,itistointimatethattheinspiredbookwassupernaturallyabletoconveyasenseofitssacredandawfulcharactertothisinnocentlittlecreaturewithouttheinterventionofoutsideaids。Themagazineisnoteditedwithhigh-priceddiscretion。
  Theeditorhasaclaim,andheoughttogetittreated。
  Amongotherwitnesses,thereisonewhohada'jumpingtoothache,'whichseveraltimestemptedherto'believethattherewassensationinmatter,buteachtimeitwasovercomebythepowerofTruth。'Shewouldnotallowthedentisttousecocaine,butsatthereandlethimpunchanddrillandsplitandcrushthetool,andtearandslashitsulcerations,andpulloutthenerve,anddigoutfragmentsofbone;andshewouldn'tonceconfessthatithurt。Andtothisdayshethinksitdidn't,andI
  havenotadoubtthatsheisnine-tenthsright,andthatherChristianSciencefaithdidherbetterservicethanshecouldhavegottenoutofcocaine。
  Thereisanaccountofaboywhogotbrokenallupintosmallbitsbyanaccident,butsaidovertheScientificStatementofBeing,orsomeoftheotherincantations,andgotwellandsoundwithouthavingsufferedanyrealpainandwithouttheintrusionofasurgeon。Icanbelievethis,becausemyowncasewassomewhatsimilar,aspermyformerarticle。
  Alsothereisanaccountoftherestorationtoperfecthealth,inasinglenight,ofafatallyinjuredhorse,bytheapplicationofChristianScience。Icanstandagooddeal,butIrecognisethattheiceisgettingthinhere。Thathorsehadasmanyasfiftyclaims:howcouldhedemonstrateoverthem?CouldhedotheAll-Good,Good-Good,Good-Gracious,Liver,Bones,Truth,AlldownbutNine,SetthemupontheOtherAlley?CouldheintonetheScientificStatementofBeing?Now,couldhe?Wouldn'titgivehimarelapse?Letusdrawthelineathorses。Horsesandfurniture。
  Thereisaplentyofothertestimoniesinthemagazine,butthesequotedsampleswillanswer。TheyshowthekindoftradetheScienceisdriving。
  Nowwecomebacktothequestion;Doesitkillapatienthereandthereandnowandthen?Wemustconcedeit。Doesitcompensateforthis?I
  ampersuadedthatitcanmakeaplausibleshowinginthatdirection。Forinstance:whenitlaysitshandsuponasoldierwhohassufferedthirtyyearsofhelplesstortureandmakeshimwholeinbodyandmind,whatistheactualsumofthatachievement?This,Ithink:thatithasrestoredtolifeasubjectwhohadessentiallydiedtendeathsayearforthirtyyears,andeachofthemalongandpainfulone。Butforitsinterferencethatmanwouldhaveessentiallydiedthirtytimesmore,inthethreeyearswhichhavesinceelapsed。Therearethousandofyoungpeopleinthelandwhoarenowreadytoenteruponalife-longdeathsimilartothatman's。EverytimetheSciencecapturesoneoftheseandsecurestohimlife-longimmunityfromimagination-manufactureddisease,itmayplausiblyclaimthatinhispersonithassaved300lives。Meantimeitwillkillamaneverynowandthen;butnomatter,itwillstillbeaheadonthecreditside。
  VIII
  'Weconsciouslydeclarethat"ScienceandHealthwithKeytotheScriptures,"wasforetoldaswellasitsauthor,MaryBakerEddy,inRevelationx。Sheisthe"mightyangel,"orGod'shighestthoughttothisageverse1,givingusthespiritualinterpretationoftheBibleinthe"littlebookopen"verse2。ThusweprovethatChristianScienceisthesecondcomingofChrist——Truth——Spirit。'——
  LecturebyDr。GeorgeTomkins,D。D。,C。S。
  Thereyouhaveitinplainspeech。Sheisthemightyangel;sheisthedivinelyandofficiallysentbearerofGod'shighestthought。Forthepresent,shebringstheSecondAdvent。WemustexpectthatbeforeshehasbeeninhergravefiftyyearsshewillberegardedbyherfollowingashavingbeenherselftheSecondAdvent。Sheisalreadyworshipped,andwemustexpectthisfeelingtospreadterritorially,andalsotodeepeninintensity[1]。
  Particularlyafterherdeath;forthen,asanyonecanforesee,Eddy-worshipwillbetaughtintheSunday-schoolsandpulpitsofthecult。Alreadywhateversheputshertrade-markon,thoughtitbeonlyamemorialspoon,isholyandiseagerlyandpassionatelyandgratefullyboughtbythedisciple,andbecomesafetishinhishouse。Isaybought,fortheBostonChristian-ScienceTrustgivesnothingaway;everythingithasforsale。Andthetermsarecash;andnotcashonlybutcashinadvance。ItsgodisMrs。Eddyfirst,thentheDollar。NotaspiritualDollar,butarealone。FromendtoendoftheChristian-Scienceliteraturenotasinglematerialthingintheworldisconcededtobereal,excepttheDollar。Butallthroughandthroughitsadvertisementsthatrealityiseagerlyandpersistentlyrecognised。ThehungeroftheTrustfortheDollar,itsadorationoftheDollar,itslustaftertheDollar,itsecstasyinthemerethoughtoftheDollar——therehasbeennothinglikeitintheworldinanyageorcountry,nothingsocoarse,nothingsolubricous,nothingsobestial,exceptaFrenchnovel'sattitudetowardsadultery。
  TheDollarishunteddowninallsortsofways;theChristian-ScienceMother-ChurchandBargain-CounterinBostonpeddlesallkindsofspiritualwarestothefaithful,alwaysatextravagantprices,andalwaysontheonecondition——cash,cashinadvance。TheAngeloftheApocalypsecouldnotgothereandgetacopyofhisownpiratedbookoncredit。
  Many,manypreciousChristian-Sciencethingsaretobehadthere——forcash:BibleLessons;ChurchManual;C。S。Hymnal;HistoryofthebuildingoftheMother-Church;lotofSermons;CommunionHymn,'SawYeMySaviour,'byMrs。Eddy,halfadollaracopy,'wordsusedbyspecialpermissionofMrs。Eddy。'AlsowehaveMrs。Eddy'sandtheAngel'slittleBible-Annexineightstylesofbindingateightkindsofwar-
  prices:amongtheseasweetthingin'levant,divinitycircuit,leatherlinedtoedge,roundcorners,goldedge,silksewed,each,prepaid,$6,'
  andifyoutakeamillionyougetthemashillingcheaper——thatistosay,'prepaid,$5。75。'AlsowehaveMrs。Eddy's'MiscellaneousWritings,'atnoblebigprices,thedivinity-circuitstyleheadingtheextortions,shillingdiscountwhereyoutakeanedition。Nextcomes'ChristandChristmas,'bythefertileMrs。eddy——apoem——IwouldGodI
  couldseeit——price$3,cashinadvance。ThenfollowfivemorebooksbyMrs。Eddyathighwaymen'srates,asusual,someofthemin'leatherettecovers,'someofthemin'pebbledcloth,'withdivinitycircuit,compensationbalance,twinscrew,andtheothermodernimprovements:andatthesamebargaincountercanbehadthe'ChristianScienceJournal。'
  Iwishitwereinrefinedtastetoapplyarudelyandruggedlydescriptiveepithettothatliteraryslush-bucket,soastogiveoneanaccurateideaofwhatitislike。Iammovedtodoit,butImustnot:
  itisbettertoberefinedthanaccuratewhenoneistalkingaboutaproductionlikethat。
  Christian-ScienceliteraryoleomargarineisamonopolyoftheMotherChurchHeadquartersFactoryinBoston;nonegenuinewithoutthetrade-markoftheTrust。Youmustapplythere,andnotelsewhere;andyoupayyourmoneybeforeyougetyoursoap-fat。
  TheTrusthasstillothersourcesofincome。Mrs。Eddyispresidentandperhapsproprietor?oftheTrust'sMetaphysicalCollegeinBoston,wherethestudentwhohaspractisedC。S。healingduringthreeyearsthebestheknewhowperfectshimselfinthegamebyatwoweeks'course,andpaysonehundreddollarsforit!AndIhaveacaseamongmystatisticswherethestudenthadathreeweeks'courseandpaidthreehundredforit。
  TheTrustdoeslovetheDollarwhenitisn'taspiritualone。
  InordertoforcethesaleofMrs。Eddy'sBible-Annex,nohealer,MetaphysicalCollege-bredorother,isallowedtopractisethegameunlesshepossessacopyofthatholynightmare。ThatmeansalargeandconstantlyaugmentingincomefortheTrust。NoC。S。familywouldconsideritselfloyalorpiousorpain-proofwithoutanAnnexortwointhehouse。ThatmeansanincomefortheTrust——inthenearfuture——ofmillions:notthousands——millionsayear。
  Nomember,youngorold,ofaChristian-Scientistchurchcanretainthatmembershipunlesshepay'capitationtax'totheBostonTrusteveryyear。
  ThatmeansanincomefortheTrust——inthenearfuture——ofmillionsmoreperyear。
  ItisareasonablysafeguessthatinAmericain1910therewillbe10,000,000ChristianScientists,and3,000,000inGreatBritain;thatthesefigureswillbetrebledby1920;thatinAmericain1910theChristianScientistswillbeapoliticalforce,in1920politicallyformidable——toremainthat,permanently。AndIthinkitareasonableguessthattheTrustwhichisalreadyinourdayprettybrusqueinitswayswillthenbethemostinsolentandunscrupulousandtyrannicalpolitico-religiousmasterthathasdominatedapeoplesincethepalmydaysoftheInquisition。Andastrongermasterthanthestrongestofbygonetimes,becausethisonewillhaveafinancialstrengthnotdreamedofbyanypredecessor;aseffectiveaconcentrationofirresponsiblepowerasanypredecessorhad;intherailway,thetelegraph,andthesubsidisednewspaper,betterfacilitiesforwatchingandmanaginghisempirethananypredecessorhashad;andafteragenerationortwohewillprobablydivideChristendomwiththeCatholicChurch。
  TheRomanChurchhasaperfectorganisation,andithasaneffectivecentralisationofpower——butnotofitscash。ItsmultitudeofBishopsarerich,buttheirrichesremaininlargemeasureintheirownhands。
  Theycollectfrom200,000,000ofpeople,buttheykeepthebulkoftheresultathome。TheBostonPopeofby-and-bywilldrawhisdollar-a-headcapitation-taxfrom300,000,000ofthehumanrace,andtheAnnexandtherestofhisbook-shopwillfetchindoubleasmuchmore;andhisMetaphysicalColleges,theannualpilgrimagetoMrs。Eddy'stomb,fromallovertheworld——admission,theChristian-ScienceDollarpayableinadvance——purchasesofconsecratedglassbeads,candles,memorialspoons,aureoledchromo-portraitsandbogusautographsofMrs。Eddy,cashofferingsathershrine——nocrutchesofcuredcripplesreceived,andnoimitationsofmiraculouslyrestoredbrokenlegsandnecksallowedtobehungupexceptwhenmadeoutoftheHolyMetalandprovedbyfire-assay;
  cashformiraclesworkedatthetomb:thesemoney-sources,withathousandtobeyetinventedandambusheduponthedevotee,willbringtheannualincrementwellupaboveabillion。AndnobodybuttheTrustwillhavethehandlingofit。NoBishopsappointedunlesstheyagreetohandin90percent。ofthecatch。InthatdaytheTrustwillmonopolisethemanufactureandsaleoftheOldandNewTestamentsaswellastheAnnex,andraisetheirpricetoAnnexrates,andcompelthedevoteetobuyforevento-dayahealerhastohavetheAnnexandtheScripturesorheisnotallowedtoworkthegame,andthatwillbringseveralhundredmilliondollarsmore。InthosedaystheTrustwillhaveanincomeapproaching$5,000,000aday,andnoexpensestobetakenoutofit;notaxestopay,andnocharitiestosupport。Thatlastdetailshouldnotbelightlypassedoverbytheread;itiswellentitledtoattention。
  Nocharitiestosupport。No,noreventocontributeto。OnesearchesinvaintheTrust'sadvertisementsandtheutterancesofitspulpitforanysuggestionthatitspendsapennyonorphans,widows,dischargedprisoners,hospitals,raggedschools,nightmissions,citymissions,foreignmissions,libraries,oldpeople'shomes,oranyotherobjectthatappealstoahumanbeing'spursethroughhisheart。[2]
  Ihavehunted,hunted,andhunted,bycorrespondenceandotherwise,andhavenotyetgotuponthetrackofafarthingthattheTrusthasspentuponanyworthyobject。NothingmakesaScientistsouncomfortableastoaskhimifheknowsofacasewhereChristianSciencehasspentmoneyonabenevolence,eitheramongitsownadherentsorelsewhere。Heisobligedtosayno。Andthenonediscoversthatthepersonquestionedhasbeenaskedthequestionmanytimesbefore,andthatitisgettingtobeasoresubjectwithhim。Whyasoresubject?Becausehehaswrittenhischiefsandaskedwithhighconfidenceforananswerthatwillconfoundthesequestioners——andthechiefsdidnotreply。Hehaswrittenagain——
  andthenagain——notwithconfidence,buthumbly,now,andhasbeggedfordefensiveammunitioninthevoiceofsupplication。Areplydoesatlastcome——tothiseffect:'WemusthavefaithinOurMother,andrestcontentintheconvictionthatwhateverShe[3]doeswiththemoneyitisinaccordancewithordersfromHeaven,forShedoesnoactofanykindwithoutfirst"demonstratingover"it。'
  Thatsettlesit——asfarasthediscipleisconcerned。HisMindisentirelysatisfiedwiththatanswer;hegetsdownhisAnnexanddoesanincantationortwo,andthatmesmeriseshisspiritandputsthattosleep——bringsitpeace。Peaceandcomfortandjoy,untilsomeinquirerpuncturestheoldsoreagain。
  ThroughfriendsinAmericaIaskedsomequestions,andinsomecasesgotdefiniteandinforminganswers;inothercasestheanswerswerenotdefiniteandnotvaluable。FromthedefiniteanswersIgatherthanthe'capitation-tax'iscompulsory,andthatthesumisonedollar。Tothequestion,'Doesanyofthemoneygotocharities?'theanswerfromanauthoritativesourcewas:'No,*notinthesenseusuallyconveyedbythisword*。'Theitalicsaremine。Thatansweriscautious。Butdefinite,Ithink——utterlyandunassailablydefinite——althoughquiteChristian-scientificallyfoggyinitsphrasing。ChristianScienceisgenerallyfoggy,generallydiffuse,generallygarrulous。ThewriterwasawarethatthefirstwordinhisphraseansweredthequestionwhichIwasasking,buthecouldnothelpaddingninedarkwords。Meaninglessones,unlessexplainedbyhim。Itisquitelikely——asintimatedbyhim——thatChristianSciencehasinventedanewclassofobjectstoapplythewordcharityto,butwithoutanexplanationwecannotknowwhattheyare。Wequiteeasilyandnaturallyandconfidentlyguessthattheyareinallcasesobjectswhichwillreturnfivehundredpercent。ontheTrust'sinvestmentinthem,butguessingisnotknowledge;itismerely,inthiscase,asortofnine-tenthscertaintydeduciblefromwhatwethinkweknowoftheTrust'stradeprinciplesanditsslyandfurtiveandshiftyways。
  Sly?Deep?Judicious?TheTrustunderstandsbusiness。TheTrustdoesnotgiveitselfaway。Itdefeatsalltheattemptsofusimpertinentstogetatitstradesecrets。Tothisday,afterallourdiligence,wehavenotbeenabletogetittoconfesswhatitdoeswiththemoney。Itdoesnotevenletitsowndisciplesfindout。Allitsaysis,thatthematterhasbeen'demonstratedover。'NowandthenalayScientistsays,withagratefulexultation,thatMrs。Eddyisenormouslyrich,buthestopsthere;astowhetheranyofthemoneygoestoothercharitiesornot,heisobligedtoadmitthathedoesnotknow。However,theTrustiscomposedofhumanbeings;andthisjustifiestheconjecturethatifithadacharityonitslistwhichitdidnotneedtoblushfor,weshouldsoonhearofit。
  'Withoutmoneyandwithoutprice。'Thoseusedtobetheterms。Mrs。
  Eddy'sAnnexcancelsthem。ThemottoofChristianScienceis'Thelabourerisworthyofhishire。'Andnowthatithasbeen'demonstratedover,'wefinditsspiritualmeaningtobe,'Doanythingandeverythingyourhandmayfindtodo;andchargecashforit,andcollectthemoneyinadvance。'TheScientisthasonhistongue'sendacut-and-dried,Boston-suppliedsetofratherleanargumentswhosefunctionistoshowthatitisaHeaven-commandeddutytodothis,andthatthecroupiersofthegamehavenochoicebytoobey。
  TheTrustseemstobeareincarnation。Exodusxxxii。4。
  IhavenoreverenceforMrs。EddyandtherestoftheTrust——ifthereisarest——butIamnotlackinginreverenceforthesinceritiesofthelaymembershipofthenewChurch。Thereiseveryevidencethatthelaymembersareentirelysincereintheirfaith,andIthinksincerityisalwaysentitledtohonourandrespect,lettheinspirationofthesinceritybewhatitmay。Zealandsinceritycancarryanewreligionfurtherthananyothermissionaryexceptfireandsword,andIbelievethatthenewreligionwillconquerthehalfofChristendominahundredyears。Iamnotintendingthisasacomplimenttothehumanrace,Iammerelystatinganopinion。AndyetIthinkthatperhapsitisacomplimenttotherace。Ikeepinmindthatsayingofanorthodoxpreacher——quotedfurtherback。HeconcededthatthisnewChristianityfreesitspossessor'slifefromfrets,fears,vexations,bitterness,andallsortsofimagination-propagatedmaladiesandpains,andfillshisworldwithsunshineandhisheartwithgladness。IfChristianScience,withthisstupendousequipment——andfinalsalvationadded——cannotwinhalftheChristianglobe,Imustbebadlymistakeninthemake-upofthehumanrace。
  IthinktheTrustwillbehandeddownliketheotherpapacy,andwillalwaysknowhowtohandleitslimitlesscash。Itwillpressthebutton;
  thezeal,theenergy,thesincerity,theenthusiasmofitscountlessvassalswilldotherest。
  IX
  Thepowerwhichaman'simaginationhasoverhisbodytohealitormakeitsickisaforcewhichnoneofusisbornwithout。Thefirstmanhadit,thelastonewillpossessit。Iflefttohimselfamanismostlikelytouseonlythemischievoushalfoftheforce——thehalfwhichinventsimaginaryailmentsforhimandcultivatesthem:andifheisoneoftheseverywisepeopleheisquitelikelytoscoffatthebeneficenthalfoftheforceanddenyitsexistence。Andso,tohealorhelpthatman,twoimaginationsarerequired:hisownandsomeoutsider's。Theoutsider,B,mustimaginethathisincantationsarethehealingpowerthatiscuringA,andAmustimaginethatthisisso。Itisnotso,atall;butnomatter,thecureiseffected,andthatisthemainthing。
  Theoutsider'sworkisunquestionablyvaluable;sovaluablethatitmayfairlybelikenedtotheessentialworkperformedbytheengineerwhenhehandlesthethrottleandturnsonthesteam:theactualpowerislodgedexclusivelyintheengine,butiftheenginewereleftaloneitwouldneverstartofitself。WhethertheengineerbenamedJim,orBob,orTom,itisallone——hisservicesarenecessary,andheisentitledtosuchwageashecangetyoutopay。WhetherhebenamedChristianScientist,orMentalScientist,orMindCurist,orLourdesMiracle-
  Worker,orKing's-EvilExpert,itisallone,——heismerelytheEngineer,hesimplyturnsonthesameoldsteamandtheenginedoesthewholework。
  Inthecaseofthecure-engineitisadistinctadvantagetoclothetheengineerinreligiousoverallsandgivehimapiousname。Itgreatlyenlargesthebusiness,anddoesnooneanyharm。
  TheChristian-Scientistengineerdrivesexactlythesametradeastheotherengineers,yetheout-prospersthewholeofthemputtogether。Isitbecausehehascapturedthetakingestname?Ithinkthatthatisonlyasmallpartofit。Ithinkthatthesecretofhishighprosperitylieselsewhere:
  TheChristianScientisthasorganisedthebusiness。Nowthatwascertainlyagiganticidea。ThereismoreintellectinitthanwouldbeneededintheinventionofacoupleofmillionsofEddyScience-and-
  HealthBibleAnnexes。Electricity,inlimitlessvolume,hasexistedintheairandtherocksandtheearthandeverywheresincetimebegan——andwasgoingtowasteallthewhile。Inourtimewehaveorganisedthatscatteredandwanderingforceandsetittowork,andbackedthebusinesswithcapital,andconcentrateditinfewandcompetenthands,andtheresultsareaswesee。
  TheChristianScientisthastakenaforcewhichhasbeenlyingidleineverymemberofthehumanracesincetimebegan,andhasorganisedit,andbackedthebusinesswithcapital,andconcentrateditatBostonheadquartersinthehandsofasmallandverycompetentTrust,andthereareresults。
  Thereinliesthepromisethatthismonopolyisgoingtoextenditscommercewideintheearth。Ithinkthatifthebusinesswereconductedinthelooseanddisconnectedfashioncustomarywithsuchthings,itwouldachievebutlittlemorethanthemodestprosperityusuallysecuredbyunorganisedgreatmoralandcommercialventures;butIbelievethatsolongasthisoneremainscompactlyorganisedandcloselyconcentratedinaTrust,thespreadofitsdominionwillcontinue。
  VIENNA:May1,1899。
  [1]Afterraisingadeadchildtolife,thedisciplewhodiditwritesanaccountofherperformance,toMrs。Eddy,andclosesitthus:'Myprayerdailyistobemorespiritual,thatImaydomoreasyouwouldhavemedo……andmayweallloveyoumoreandsoliveitthattheworldmayknowthattheChristiscome。'——PrintedintheConcord,N。H。,IndependentStatesman,March9,1899。Ifthisisnoworship,itisagoodimitationofit。
  [2]InthepasttwoyearsthemembershipoftheEstablishedChurchofEnglandhavegivenvoluntarycontributionsamountingto$73,000,000totheChurch'sbenevolententerprises。Churchesthatgivehavenothingtohide。
  [3]ImaybeintroducingthecapitalSalittleearly——stillitisonitsway。
  ISHELIVINGORISHEDEAD?
  IwasspendingthemonthofMarch1892atMentone,intheRiviera。Atthisretiredspotonehasalltheadvantages,privately,whicharetobehadpubliclyatMonteCarloandNice,afewmilesfartheralong。Thatistosay,onehasthefloodingsunshine,thebalmyairandthebrilliantbluesea,withoutthemarringadditionsofhumanpow-wowandfussandfeathersanddisplay。Mentoneisquiet,simple,restful,unpretentious;
  therichandthegaudydonotcomethere。Asarule,Imean,therichdonotcomethere。Nowandthenarichmancomes,andIpresentlygotacquaintedwithoneofthese。PartiallytodisguisehimIwillcallhimSmith。Oneday,intheHoteldesAnglais,atthesecondbreakfast,heexclaimed:
  'Quick!Castyoureyeonthemangoingoutatthedoor。Takeineverydetailofhim。'
  'Why?'
  'Doyouknowwhoheis?'
  'Yes。Hespentseveraldaysherebeforeyoucame。Heisanold,retired,andveryrichsilkmanufacturerfromLyons,theysay,andI
  guessheisaloneintheworld,forhealwayslookssadanddreamy,anddoesn'ttalkwithanybody。HisnameisTheophileMagnan。'
  IsupposedthatSmithwouldnowproceedtojustifythelargeinterestwhichhehadshowninMonsieurMagnan,but,instead,hedroppedintoabrownstudy,andwasapparentlylosttomeandtotherestoftheworldduringsomeminutes。Nowandthenhepassedhisfingersthroughhisflossywhitehair,toassisthisthinking,andmeantimeheallowedhisbreakfasttogooncooling。Atlasthesaid:
  'No,it'sgone;Ican'tcallitback。'
  'Can'tcallwhatback?'
  'It'soneofHansAndersen'sbeautifullittlestories。Butit'sgonefrome。Partofitislikethis:Achildhasacagedbird,whichitlovesbutthoughtlesslyneglects。Thebirdpoursoutitssongunheardandunheeded;but,intime,hungerandthirstassailthecreature,anditssonggrowsplaintiveandfeebleandfinallyceases——thebirddies。Thechildcomes,andissmittentotheheartwithremorse:then,withbittertearsandlamentations,itcallsitsmates,andtheyburythebirdwithelaboratepompandthetenderestgrief,withoutknowing,poorthings,thatitisn'tchildrenonlywhostarvepoetstodeathandthenspendenoughontheirfuneralsandmonumentstohavekeptthemaliveandmadethemeasyandcomfortable。Now——'
  Butherewewereinterrupted。AbouttenthateveningIranacrossSmith,andheaskedmeuptohisparlourtohelphimsmokeanddrinkhotScotch。
  Itwasacosyplace,withitscomfortablechairs,itscheerfullamps,anditsfriendlyopenfireofseasonedolive-wood。Tomakeeverythingperfect,therewasamuffledboomingofthesurfoutside。AfterthesecondScotchandmuchlazyandcontentedchat,Smithsaid:
  'Nowweareproperlyprimed——Itotellacurioushistoryandyoutolistentoit。Ithasbeenasecretformanyyears——asecretbetweenmeandthreeothers;butIamgoingtobreakthesealnow。Areyoucomfortable?'
  'Perfectly。Goon。'