CHRISTIANSCIENCE
　　PREFACE
　　BOOKIofthisvolumeoccupiesaquarterorathirdofthevolume，andconsistsofmatterwrittenaboutfouryearsago，butnothithertopublishedinbookform。Itcontainederrorsofjudgmentandoffact。
　　Ihavenowcorrectedthesetothebestofmyabilityandlaterknowledge。
　　BookIIwaswrittenatthebeginningof1903，andhasnotuntilnowappearedinanyform。Initmypurposehasbeentopresentacharacter-
　　portraitofMrs。Eddy，drawnfromherownactsandwordssolely，notfromhearsayandrumor；andtoexplainthenatureandscopeofherMonarchy，asrevealedintheLawsbywhichshegovernsit，andwhichshewroteherself。
　　MARKTWAIN
　　NEWYORK。January，1907。
　　BOOKICHRISTIANSCIENCE
　　"Itisthefirsttimesincethedawn-daysofCreationthataVoicehasgonecrashingthroughspacewithsuchplacidandcomplacentconfidenceandcommand。"
　　CHAPTERI
　　VIENNA1899。
　　Thislastsummer，whenIwasonmywaybacktoViennafromtheAppetite-
　　Cureinthemountains，Ifelloveracliffinthetwilight，andbrokesomearmsandlegsandonethingoranother，andbygoodluckwasfoundbysomepeasantswhohadlostanass，andtheycarriedmetothenearesthabitation，whichwasoneofthoselarge，low，thatch-roofedfarm-houses，withapartmentsinthegarretforthefamily，andacunninglittleporchunderthedeepgabledecoratedwithboxesofbrightcoloredflowersandcats；onthegroundflooralargeandlightsitting-room，separatedfromthemilch-cattleapartmentbyapartition；andinthefrontyardrosestatelyandfinethewealthandprideofthehouse，themanure-pile。
　　ThatsentenceisGermanic，andshowsthatIamacquiringthatsortofmasteryoftheartandspiritofthelanguagewhichenablesamantotravelalldayinonesentencewithoutchangingcars。
　　Therewasavillageamileaway，andahorsedoctorlivedthere，buttherewasnosurgeon。Itseemedabadoutlook；minewasdistinctlyasurgerycase。ThenitwasrememberedthataladyfromBostonwassummeringinthatvillage，andshewasaChristianSciencedoctorandcouldcureanything。Soshewassentfor。Itwasnightbythistime，andshecouldnotconvenientlycome，butsentwordthatitwasnomatter，therewasnohurry，shewouldgiveme"absenttreatment"now，andcomeinthemorning；meantimeshebeggedmetomakemyselftranquilandcomfortableandrememberthattherewasnothingthematterwithme。
　　Ithoughttheremustbesomemistake。
　　"DidyoutellherIwalkedoffacliffseventy-fivefeethigh？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andstruckaboulderatthebottomandbounced？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andstruckanotheroneandbouncedagain？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andstruckanotheroneandbouncedyetagain？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andbroketheboulders？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Thataccountsforit；sheisthinkingoftheboulders。Whydidn'tyoutellherIgothurt，too？"
　　"Idid。Itoldherwhatyoutoldmetotellher：thatyouwerenowbutanincoherentseriesofcompoundfracturesextendingfromyourscalp-locktoyourheels，andthatthecomminutedprojectionscausedyoutolooklikeahat-rack。"
　　"Anditwasafterthisthatshewishedmetorememberthattherewasnothingthematterwithme？"
　　"Thosewereherwords。"
　　"Idonotunderstandit。Ibelieveshehasnotdiagnosedthecasewithsufficientcare。Didshelooklikeapersonwhowastheorizing，ordidshelooklikeonewhohasfallenoffprecipicesherselfandbringstotheaidofabstractsciencetheconfirmationsofpersonalexperience？"
　　"Bitte？"
　　ItwastoolargeacontractfortheStubenmadchen'svocabulary；shecouldn'tcallthehand。Iallowedthesubjecttorestthere，andaskedforsomethingtoeatandsmoke，andsomethinghottodrink，andabaskettopilemylegsin；butIcouldnothaveanyofthesethings。
　　"Why？"
　　"Shesaidyouwouldneednothingatall。"
　　"ButIamhungryandthirsty，andindesperatepain。"
　　"Shesaidyouwouldhavethesedelusions，butmustpaynoattentiontothem。Shewantsyoutoparticularlyrememberthattherearenosuchthingsashungerandthirstandpain。''
　　"Shedoesdoesshe？"
　　"Itiswhatshesaid。"
　　Doessheseemtobeinfullandfunctionablepossessionofherintellectualplant，suchasitis？"
　　"Bitte？"
　　"Dotheyletherrunatlarge，ordotheytieherup？"
　　"Tieherup？"
　　"There，good-night，runalong，youareagoodgirl，butyourmentalGeschirrisnotarrangedforlightandairyconversation。Leavemetomydelusions。"
　　CHAPTERII
　　Itwasanightofanguish，ofcourse-atleast，Isupposeditwas，forithadallthesymptomsofit——butitpassedatlast，andtheChristianScientistcame，andIwasgladShewasmiddle-aged，andlargeandbony，anderect，andhadanausterefaceandaresolutejawandaRomanbeakandwasawidowinthethirddegree，andhernamewasFuller。Iwaseagertogettobusinessandfindrelief，butshewasdistressinglydeliberate。Sheunpinnedandunhookedanduncoupledherupholsteriesonebyone，abolishedthewrinkleswithaflirtofherhand，andhungthearticlesup；peeledoffherglovesanddisposedofthem，gotabookoutofherhand-bag，thendrewachairtothebedside，descendedintoitwithouthurry，andIhungoutmytongue。Shesaid，withpitybutwithoutpassion：
　　"Returnittoitsreceptacle。Wedealwiththemindonly，notwithitsdumbservants。"
　　Icouldnotoffermypulse，becausetheconnectionwasbroken；butshedetectedtheapologybeforeIcouldwordit，andindicatedbyanegativetiltofherheadthatthepulsewasanotherdumbservantthatshehadnousefor。ThenIthoughtIwouldtellhermysymptomsandhowIfelt，sothatshewouldunderstandthecase；butthatwasanotherinconsequence，shedidnotneedtoknowthosethings；moreover，myremarkabouthowI
　　feltwasanabuseoflanguage，amisapplicationofterms。
　　"Onedoesnotfeel，"sheexplained；"thereisnosuchthingasfeeling：
　　therefore，tospeakofanon-existentthingasexistentisacontradiction。Matterhasnoexistence；nothingexistsbutmind；themindcannotfeelpain，itcanonlyimagineit。"
　　"Butifithurts，justthesame——"
　　"Itdoesn't。Athingwhichisunrealcannotexercisethefunctionsofreality。Painisunreal；hence，paincannothurt。"
　　Inmakingasweepinggesturetoindicatetheactofshooingtheillusionofpainoutofthemind，sherakedherhandonapininherdress，said"Ouch！"andwenttranquillyonwithhertalk。"Youshouldneverallowyourselftospeakofhowyoufeel，norpermitotherstoaskyouhowyouarefeeling；youshouldneverconcedethatyouareill，norpermitotherstotalkaboutdiseaseorpainordeathorsimilarnonexistencesinyourpresence。Suchtalkonlyencouragesthemindtocontinueitsemptyimaginings。"JustatthatpointtheStuben-madchentrodonthecat'stail，andthecatletflyafrenzyofcat-profanity。Iasked，withcaution：
　　"Isacat'sopinionaboutpainvaluable？"
　　"Acathasnoopinion；opinionsproceedfrommindonly；theloweranimals，beingeternallyperishable，havenotbeengrantedmind；withoutmind，opinionisimpossible。"
　　"Shemerelyimaginedshefeltapain——thecat？"
　　"Shecannotimagineapain，forimaginingisaneffectofmind；withoutmind，thereisnoimagination。Acathasnoimagination。"
　　"Thenshehadarealpain？"
　　"Ihavealreadytoldyouthereisnosuchthingasrealpain。"
　　"Itisstrangeandinteresting。Idowonderwhatwasthematterwiththecat。Because，therebeingnosuchthingasarealpain，andshenotbeingabletoimagineanimaginaryone，itwouldseemthatGodinHispityhascompensatedthecatwithsomekindofamysteriousemotionusablewhenhertailistroddenonwhich，forthemoment，joinscatandChristianinonecommonbrotherhoodof——"
　　Shebrokeinwithanirritated——
　　"Peace！Thecatfeelsnothing，theChristianfeelsnothing。Youremptyandfoolishimaginingsareprofanationandblasphemy，andcandoyouaninjury。Itiswiserandbetterandholiertorecognizeandconfessthatthereisnosuchthingasdiseaseorpainordeath。"
　　"Iamfullofimaginarytortures，"Isaid，"butIdonotthinkIcouldbeanymoreuncomfortableiftheywererealones。WhatmustIdotogetridofthem？"
　　"Thereisnooccasiontogetridofthem。sincetheydonotexist。Theyareillusionspropagatedbymatter，andmatterhasnoexistence；thereisnosuchthingasmatter。"
　　"Itsoundsrightandclear，butyetitseemsinadegreeelusive；itseemstoslipthrough，justwhenyouthinkyouaregettingagriponit。"
　　"Explain。"
　　"Well，forinstance：ifthereisnosuchthingasmatter，howcanmatterpropagatethings？"
　　Inhercompassionshealmostsmiled。Shewouldhavesmilediftherewereanysuchthingasasmile。
　　"Itisquitesimple，"shesaid；"thefundamentalpropositionsofChristianScienceexplainit，andtheyaresummarizedinthefourfollowingself-evidentpropositions：
　　1。GodisAllinall。
　　2。Godisgood。GoodisMind3。God，Spirit，beingall，nothingismatter4。Life，God，omnipotentGood，denydeath，evil，sin，disease。
　　There——nowyousee。"
　　Itseemednebulous；itdidnotseemtosayanythingaboutthedifficultyinhand——hownon-existentmattercanpropagateillusionsIsaid，withsomehesitancy：
　　"Does——doesitexplain？"
　　"Doesn'tit？Evenifreadbackwarditwilldoit。"
　　Withabuddinghope，Iaskedhertodoitbackwards。
　　"Verywell。DiseasesinevildeathdenyGoodomnipotentGodlifematterisnothingallbeingSpiritGodMindisGoodgoodisGodallinAllisGod。Theredoyouunderstandnow？
　　"It——it——well，itisplainerthanitwasbefore；still——"
　　"Well？"
　　"Couldyoutryitsomemoreways？"
　　"Asmanyasyoulike；italwaysmeansthesame。Interchangedinanywayyoupleaseitcannotbemadetomeananythingdifferentfromwhatitmeanswhenputinanyotherway。Becauseitisperfect。Youcanjumbleitallup，anditmakesnodifference：italwayscomesoutthewayitwasbefore。Itwasamarvelousmindthatproducedit。Asamentaltourdeforceitiswithoutamate，itdefiesalikethesimple，theconcrete，andtheoccult。"
　　"Itseemstobeacorker。"
　　Iblushedfortheword，butitwasoutbeforeIcouldstopit。
　　"Awhat？"
　　"A——wonderfulstructure——combination，sotospeak，ofprofoundthoughts——
　　unthinkableones——um——"
　　Itistrue。Readbackward，orforward，orperpendicularly，oratanygivenangle，thesefourpropositionswillalwaysbefoundtoagreeinstatementandproof。"
　　"Ah——proof。Nowwearecomingatit。Thestatementsagree；theyagreewith——with——anyway，theyagree；Inoticedthat；butwhatisittheyproveImean，inparticular？"
　　"Why，nothingcouldbeclearer。Theyprove：
　　1。GOD——Principle，Life，Truth，Love，Soul，Spirit，Mind。Doyougetthat？"
　　"I——well，Iseemto。Goon，please。"
　　"2。MAN——God'suniversalidea，individual，perfect，eternal。Isitclear？"
　　"It——Ithinkso。Continue。"
　　"3。IDEA——AnimageinMind；theimmediateobjectofunderstanding。
　　Thereitis——thewholesublimeArcanaofChristianScienceinanutshell。
　　Doyoufindaweakplaceinitanywhere？"
　　"Well——no；itseemsstrong。"
　　"VerywellThereismore。ThosethreeconstitutetheScientificDefinitionofImmortalMind。Next，wehavetheScientificDefinitionofMortalMind。Thus。FIRSTDEGREE：DepravityI。Physical-Passionsandappetites，fear，depravedwill，pride，envy，deceit，hatred，revenge，sin，disease，death。"
　　"Phantasms，madam——unrealities，asIunderstandit。"
　　"Everyone。SECONDDEGREE：EvilDisappearing。I。Moral-Honesty，affection，compassion，hope，faith，meekness，temperance。Isitclear？"
　　"Crystal。"
　　"THIRDDEGREE：SpiritualSalvation。I。Spiritual-Faith，wisdom，power，purity，understanding，health，love。Youseehowsearchinglyandco-
　　ordinatelyinterdependentandanthropomorphousitallis。InthisThirdDegree，asweknowbytherevelationsofChristianScience，mortalminddisappears。"
　　"Notearlier？"
　　"No，notuntiltheteachingandpreparationfortheThirdDegreearecompleted。"
　　"ItisnotuntilthenthatoneisenabledtotakeholdofChristianScienceeffectively，andwiththerightsenseofsympathyandkinship，asIunderstandyou。Thatistosay，itcouldnotsucceedduringtheprocessesoftheSecondDegree，becausetherewouldstillberemainsofmindleft；andtherefore——butIinterruptedyou。YouwereabouttofurtherexplainthegoodresultsproceedingfromtheerosionsanddisintegrationseffectedbytheThirdDegree。Itisveryinteresting；
　　goon，please。"
　　"Yes，asIwassaying，inthisThirdDegreemortalminddisappears。
　　Sciencesoreversestheevidencebeforethecorporealhumansensesastomakethisscripturaltestimonytrueinourhearts，'thelastshallbefirstandthefirstshallbelast，'thatGodandHisideamaybetous——
　　whatdivinityreallyis，andmustofnecessitybeall-inclusive。"
　　"Itisbeautiful。AndwithwhatexhaustiveexactnessyourchoiceandarrangementofwordsconfirmandestablishwhatyouhaveclaimedforthepowersandfunctionsoftheThirdDegree。TheSecondcouldprobablyproduceonlytemporaryabsenceofmind；itisreservedtotheThirdtomakeitpermanent。AsentenceframedundertheauspicesoftheSecondcouldhaveakindofmeaning——asortofdeceptivesemblanceofit——
　　whereasitisonlyunderthemagicoftheThirdthatthatdefectwoulddisappear。Also，withoutdoubt，itistheThirdDegreethatcontributesanotherremarkablespecialtytoChristianScience——viz。，easeandflowandlavishnessofwords，andrhythmandswingandsmoothness。Theremustbeaspecialreasonforthis？"
　　"Yes——God——all，all——God，goodGod，non-Matter，Matteration，Spirit，Bones，Truth。"
　　"Thatexplainsit。"
　　"ThereisnothinginChristianSciencethatisnotexplicable；forGodisone，Timeisone，Individualityisone，andmaybeoneofaseries，oneofmany，asanindividualman，individualhorse；whereasGodisone，notoneofaseries，butonealoneandwithoutanequal。"
　　"Thesearenoblethoughts。Theymakeoneburntoknowmore。HowdoesChristianScienceexplainthespiritualrelationofsystematicdualitytoincidentaldeflection？"
　　"ChristianSciencereversestheseemingrelationofSoulandbody——asastronomyreversesthehumanperceptionofthemovementofthesolarsystem——andmakesbodytributarytotheMind。Asitistheearthwhichisinmotion，Whilethesunisatrest，thoughinviewingthesunriseonefindsitimpossibletobelievethesunnottobereallyrising，sothebodyisbutthehumbleservantoftherestfulMind，thoughitseemsotherwisetofinitesense；butweshallneverunderstandthiswhileweadmitthatsoulisinbody，ormindinmatter，andthatmanisincludedinnon-intelligence。SoulisGod，unchangeableandeternal；andmancoexistswithandreflectsSoul，fortheAll-in-allistheAltogether，andtheAltogetherembracestheAll-one，Soul-Mind，Mind-Soul，Love，Spirit，Bones，Liver，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutanequal。"
　　"WhatistheoriginofChristianScience？IsitagiftofGod，ordiditjusthappen？"
　　"Inasense，itisagiftofGod。Thatistosay，itspowersarefromHim，butthecreditofthediscoveryofthepowersandwhattheyareforisduetoanAmericanlady。"
　　"Indeed？Whendidthisoccur？"
　　"In1866。Thatistheimmortaldatewhenpainanddiseaseanddeathdisappearedfromtheearthtoreturnnomoreforever。Thatis，thefanciesforwhichthosetermsstanddisappeared。Thethingsthemselveshadneverexisted；therefore，assoonasitwasperceivedthattherewerenosuchthings，theywereeasilybanished。Thehistoryandnatureofthegreatdiscoveryaresetdowninthebookhere，and——"
　　"Didtheladywritethebook？"
　　"Yes，shewroteitall，herself。ThetitleisScienceandHealth，withKeytotheScriptures——forsheexplainstheScriptures；theywerenotunderstoodbefore。NotevenbythetwelveDisciples。Shebeginsthus——
　　Iwillreadittoyou。"
　　Butshehadforgottentobringherglasses。
　　"Well，itisnomatter，"shesaid。"Irememberthewords——indeed，allChristianScientistsknowthebookbyheart；itisnecessaryinourpractice。Weshouldotherwisemakemistakesanddoharm。Shebeginsthus：'Intheyear1866IdiscoveredtheScienceofMetaphysicalHealing，andnameditChristianScience。'AndShesaysquitebeautifully，Ithink——'ThroughChristianScience，religionandmedicineareinspiredwithadivinernatureandessence，freshpinionsaregiventofaithandunderstanding，andthoughtsacquaintthemselvesintelligentlywithGod。'
　　Herverywords。"
　　"Itiselegant。Anditisafinethought，too——marryingreligiontomedicine，insteadofmedicinetotheundertakerintheoldway；forreligionandmedicineproperlybelongtogether，theybeingthebasisofallspiritualandphysicalhealth。Whatkindofmedicinedoyougivefortheordinarydiseases，suchas——"
　　"Wenevergivemedicineinanycircumstanceswhatever！We——"
　　"But，madam，itsays——"
　　"Idon'tcarewhatitsays，andIdon'twishtotalkaboutit。"
　　"IamsorryifIhaveoffended，butyouseethementionseemedinsomewayinconsistent，and——"
　　"TherearenoinconsistenciesinChristianScience。Thethingisimpossible，fortheScienceisabsolute。Itcannotbeotherwise，sinceitproceedsdirectlyfromtheAll-in-allandtheEverything-in-Which，alsoSoul，Bones，Truth，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal。ItisMathematicspurifiedfrommaterialdrossandmadespiritual。"
　　"Icanseethat，but——"
　　"ItrestsupontheimmovablebasisofanApodicticalPrinciple。"
　　Thewordflatteneditselfagainstmymindintryingtogetin，anddisorderedmealittle，andbeforeIcouldinquireintoitspertinency，shewasalreadythrowingtheneededlight：
　　"ThisApodicticalPrincipleistheabsolutePrincipleofScientificMind-
　　healing，thesovereignOmnipotencewhichdeliversthechildrenofmenfrompain，disease，decay，andeveryillthatfleshisheirto。"
　　"Surelynoteveryill，everydecay？"
　　"Everyone；therearenoexceptions；thereisnosuchthingasdecay——itisanunreality，ithasnoexistence。"
　　"Butwithoutyourglassesyourfailingeyesightdoesnotpermityouto——"
　　"Myeyesightcannotfail；nothingcanfail；theMindismaster，andtheMindpermitsnoretrogression。"
　　ShewasundertheinspirationoftheThirdDegree，thereforetherecouldbenoprofitincontinuingthispartofthesubject。IshiftedtoothergroundandinquiredfurtherconcerningtheDiscovereroftheScience。
　　"Didthediscoverycomesuddenly，likeKlondike，orafterlongstudyandcalculation，likeAmerica？"
　　"Thecomparisonsarenotrespectful，sincetheyrefertotrivialities——
　　butletitpass。IwillanswerintheDiscoverer'sownwords：'Godhadbeengraciouslyfittingme，duringmanyyears，forthereceptionofafinalrevelationoftheabsolutePrincipleofScientificMind-healing。"
　　"Manyyears。Howmany？"
　　"Eighteencenturies！"
　　"All——God，God——good，good——God，Truth，Bones，Liver，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal——itisamazing！"
　　"Youmaywellsayit，sir。YetitisbutthetruthThisAmericanlady，ourreveredandsacredFounder，isdistinctlyreferredto，andhercomingprophesied，inthetwelfthchapteroftheApocalypse；shecouldnothavebeenmoreplainlyindicatedbySt。Johnwithoutactuallymentioninghername。"
　　"Howstrange，howwonderful！"
　　"Iwillquoteherownwords，fromherKeytotheScriptures：'ThetwelfthchapteroftheApocalypsehasaspecialsuggestivenessinconnectionwiththisnineteenthcentury。'There——doyounotethat？Think——noteitwell。"
　　"But——whatdoesitmean？"
　　"Listen，andyouwillknow。Iquoteherinspiredwordsagain：'IntheopeningoftheSixthSeal，typicalofsixthousandyearssinceAdam，thereisonedistinctivefeaturewhichhasspecialreferencetothepresentage。Thus：
　　"'Revelationxii。I。Andthereappearedagreatwonderinheaven——awomanclothedwiththesun，andthemoonunderherfeet，anduponherheadacrownoftwelvestars。'
　　"ThatisourHead，ourChief，ourDiscovererofChristianScience——
　　nothingcanbeplainer，nothingsurer。Andnotethis：
　　"'Revelationxii。6。Andthewomanfledintothewilderness，whereshehadaplacepreparedofGod。'
　　"ThatisBoston。Irecognizeit，madam。Thesearesublimethings，andimpressive；Ineverunderstoodthesepassagesbefore；pleasegoonwiththe——withthe——proofs。"
　　"Verywell。Listen：
　　"'AndIsawanothermightyangelcomedownfromheaven，clothedwithacloud；andarainbowwasuponhishead，andhisfacewasasitwerethesun，andhisfeetaspillarsoffire。Andheheldinhishandalittlebook。'
　　"Alittlebook，merelyalittlebook——couldwordsbemodester？Yethowstupendousitsimportance！Doyouknowwhatbookthatwas？"
　　"Wasit——"
　　"Iholditinmyhand——ChristianScience！"
　　"Love，Livers，Lights，Bones，Truth，Kidneys，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal——itisbeyondimaginationforwonder！"
　　"HearourFounder'seloquentwords：'Thenwillavoicefromharmonycry，"Goandtakethelittlebook：takeitandeatitup，anditshallmakethybellybitter；butitshallbeinthymouthsweetashoney。"Mortal，obeytheheavenlyevangel。TakeupDivineScience。Readitfrombeginningtoend。Studyit，ponderit。Itwillbe，indeed，sweetatitsfirsttaste，whenithealsyou；butmurmurnotoverTruth，ifyoufinditsdigestionbitter。'YounowknowthehistoryofourdearandholyScience，sir，andthatitsoriginisnotofthisearth，butonlyitsdiscovery。Iwillleavethebookwithyouandwillgo，now；butgiveyourselfnouneasiness——IwillgiveyouabsenttreatmentfromnowtillI
　　gotobed。"
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Underthepowerfulinfluenceoftheneartreatmentandtheabsenttreatmenttogether，mybonesweregraduallyretreatinginwardanddisappearingfromview。Thegoodworktookabriskstart，now，andwentonswiftly。Mybodywasdiligentlystrainingandstretching，thiswayandthat，toaccommodatetheprocessesofrestoration，andeveryminuteortwoIheardadullclickinsideandknewthatthetwoendsofafracturehadbeensuccessfullyjoined。Thismuffledclickingandgrittingandgrindingandraspingcontinuedduringthenextthreehours，andthenstopped——theconnectionshadallbeenmade。Allexceptdislocations；therewereonlysevenofthese：hips，shoulders，knees，neck；sothatwassoonover；oneafteranothertheyslippedintotheirsocketswithasoundlikepullingadistantcork，andIjumpedupasgoodasnew，astoframework，andsentforthehorse-doctor。
　　IwasobligedtodothisbecauseIhadastomach-acheandacoldinthehead，andIwasnotwillingtotrustthesethingsanylongerinthehandsofawomanwhomIdidnotknow，andwhoseabilitytosuccessfullytreatmerediseaseIhadlostallconfidence。Mypositionwasjustifiedbythefactthatthecoldandtheachehadbeeninherchargefromthefirst，alongwiththefractures，buthadexperiencednotashadeofrelief；and，indeed，theachewasevengrowingworseandworse，andmoreandmorebitter，now，probablyonaccountoftheprotractedabstentionfromfoodanddrink。
　　Thehorse-doctorcame，apleasantmanandfullofhopeandprofessionalinterestinthecase。Inthematterofsmellhewasprettyaromatic——infact，quitehorsy——andItriedtoarrangewithhimforabsenttreatment，butitwasnotinhisline，so，outofdelicacy，Ididnotpressit。Helookedatmyteethandexaminedmyhock，andsaidmyageandgeneralconditionwerefavorabletoenergeticmeasures；thereforehewouldgivemesomethingtoturnthestomach-acheintothebottsandthecoldintheheadintotheblindstaggers；thenheshouldbeonhisownbeatandwouldknowwhattodo。Hemadeupabucketofbran-mash，andsaidadipperfulofiteverytwohours，alternatedwithadrenchwithturpentineandaxle-
　　greaseinit，wouldeitherknockmyailmentsoutofmeintwenty-fourhours，orsointerestmeinotherwaysastomakemeforgettheywereonthepremises。Headministeredmyfirstdosehimself，thentookhisleave，sayingIwasfreetoeatanddrinkanythingIpleasedandinanyquantityIliked。ButIwasnothungryanymore，anddidnotcareforfood。
　　ItookuptheChristianSciencebookandreadhalfofit，thentookadipperfulofdrenchandreadtheotherhalf。Theresultingexperienceswerefullofinterestandadventure。AllthroughtherumblingsandgrindingsandquakingsandeffervescingsaccompanyingtheevolutionoftheacheintothebottsandthecoldintotheblindstaggersIcouldnotethegenerousstruggleformasterygoingonbetweenthemashandthedrenchandtheliterature；andoftenIcouldtellwhichwasahead，andcouldeasilydistinguishtheliteraturefromtheotherswhentheotherswereseparate，thoughnotwhentheyweremixed；forwhenabran-mashandaneclecticdrencharemixedtogethertheylookjustliketheApodicticalPrincipleoutonalark，andnoonecantellitfromthat。Thefinishwasreachedatlast，theevolutionswerecomplete，andafinesuccess，butIthinkthatthisresultcouldhavebeenachievedwithfewermaterials。Ibelievethemashwasnecessarytotheconversionofthestomach-acheintothebotts，butIthinkonecoulddeveloptheblindstaggersoutoftheliteraturebyitself；also，thatblindstaggersproducedinthiswaywouldbeofabetterqualityandmorelastingthananyproducedbytheartificialprocessesofthehorse-doctor。
　　Forofallthestrangeandfranticandincomprehensibleanduninterpretablebookswhichtheimaginationofmanhascreated，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，youseemtobelisteningtoavigorousinstrumentwhichismakinganoisewhichitthinksisatune，butwhich，topersonsnotmembersoftheband，isonlythemartialtootingofatrombone，andmerrilystirsthesoulthroughthenoise，butdoesnotconveyameaning。
　　Thebook'sserenitiesofself-satisfactiondoalmostseemtosmackofaheavenlyorigin——theyhavenoblood-kinintheearth。Itismorethanhumantobesoplacidlycertainaboutthings，andsofinelysuperior，andsoairilycontentwithone'sperformance。WithouteverpresentinganythingwhichmayrightfullybecalledbythestrongnameofEvidence，andsometimeswithoutevenmentioningareasonforadeductionatall，itthundersoutthestartlingwords，"IhaveProved"soandso。IttakesthePopeandallthegreatgunsofhisChurchinbatteryassembledtoauthoritativelysettleandestablishthemeaningofasoleandsingleunclarifiedpassageofScripture，andthisatvastcostoftimeandstudyandreflection，buttheauthorofthisworkissuperiortoallthat：shefindsthewholeBibleinanunclarifiedaudition，andatsmallexpenseoftimeandnoexpenseofmentaleffortsheclarifiesitfromlidtolid，reorganizesandimprovesthemeanings，thenauthoritativelysettlesandestablishesthemwithformulaswhichyoucannottellfrom"Lettherebelight！"and"Hereyouhaveit！"Itisthefirsttimesincethedawn-daysofCreationthataVoicehasgonecrashingthroughspacewithsuchplacidandcomplacentconfidenceandcommand。
　　[January，1903。Thefirstreadingofanybookwhoseterminologyisnewandstrangeisnearlysuretoleavethereaderinabewilderedandsarcasticstateofmind。Butnowthat，duringthepasttwomonths，I
　　have，bydiligencegainedafairacquaintanceshipwithScienceandHealthtechnicalities，Inolongerfindthebulkofthatworkhardtounderstand。——M。T。]
　　P。S。Thewisdomharvestedfromtheforegoingthoughtshasalreadydonemeaserviceandsavedmeasorrow。NearlyamonthagotherecametomefromoneoftheuniversitiesatractbyDr。EdwardAnthonySpitzkaonthe"EncephalicAnatomyoftheRaces。"Ijudgedthatmyopinionwasdesiredbytheuniversity，andIwasgreatlypleasedwiththisattentionandwroteandsaidIwouldfurnishitassoonasIcould。ThatnightI
　　putmyploddinganddishearteningChristianScienceminingasideandtookholdofthematter。Iwroteaneagerchapter，andwasexpectingtofinishmyopinionthenextday，butwascalledawayforaweek，andmymindwassoonchargedwithotherinterests。Itwasnotuntilto-day，afterthelapseofnearlyamonth，thatIhappeneduponmyEncephalicchapteragain。Meantime，thenewwisdomhadcometome，andIreaditwithshame。IrecognizedthatIhadentereduponthatworkinfarfromtherighttemper——farfromtherespectfulandjudicialspiritwhichwasitsdueofreverence。Ihadbegunuponitwiththefollowingparagraphforfuel：
　　"FISSURESOFTHEPARIETALANDOCCIPITALLOBES（LATERALSURFACE）。——ThePostcentralFissuralComplex——Inthishemicerebrum，thepostcentralandsubcentralarecombinedtoformacontinuousfissure，attainingalengthof8。5cm。Dorsally，thefissurebifurcates，embracingthegyreindentedbythecaudallimboftheparacentral。Thecaudallimbofthepostcentralisjoinedbyatransparietalpiece。Inall，fiveadditionalramispringfromthecombinedfissure。Avadumseparatesitfromtheparietal；anotherfromthecentral。"
　　Ithumiliatesme，now，toseehowangryIgotoverthat；andhowscornful。Isaidthatthestylewasdisgraceful；thatitwaslaboredandtumultuous，andinplacesviolent，thatthetreatmentwasinvolvedanderratic，andalmost，asarule，bewildering；thattolackofsimplicitywasaddedalackofvocabulary；thattherewasquitetoomuchfeelingshown；thatifIhadadogthatwouldgetsoexcitedandincoherentoveratranquilsubjectlikeEncephalicAnatomyIwouldnotpayhistax；andatthatpointIgotexcitedmyselfandspokebitterlyofthesemongrelinsanities，andsaidapersonmightaswelltrytounderstandScienceandHealth。
　　[Iknow，now，wherethetroublewas，andamgladoftheinterruptionthatsavedmefromsendingmyverdicttotheuniversity。Itmakesmecoldtothinkwhatthosepeoplemighthavethoughtofme。——M。T。]
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Noonedoubts——certainlynotI——thatthemindexercisesapowerfulinfluenceoverthebody。Fromthebeginningoftime，thesorcerer，theinterpreterofdreams，thefortune-teller，thecharlatan，thequack，thewildmedicine-man，theeducatedphysician，themesmerist，andthehypnotisthavemadeuseoftheclient'simaginationtohelpthemintheirwork。Theyhaveallrecognizedthepotencyandavailabilityofthatforce。Physicianscuremanypatientswithabreadpill；theyknowthatwherethediseaseisonlyafancy，thepatient'sconfidenceinthedoctorwillmakethebreadpilleffective。
　　Faithinthedoctor。Perhapsthatistheentirething。Itseemstolooklikeit。InoldtimestheKingcuredtheking'sevilbythetouchoftheroyalhand。Hefrequentlymadeextraordinarycures。Couldhisfootmanhavedoneit？No——notinhisownclothes。DisguisedastheKing，couldhehavedoneit？Ithinkwemaynotdoubtit。IthinkwemayfeelsurethatitwasnottheKing'stouchthatmadethecureinanyinstance，butthepatient'sfaithintheefficacyofaKing'stouch。Genuineandremarkablecureshavebeenachievedthroughcontactwiththerelicsofasaint。Isitnotlikelythatanyotherboneswouldhavedoneaswellifthesubstitutionhadbeenconcealedfromthepatient？WhenIwasaboyafarmer'swifewholivedfivemilesfromourvillagehadgreatfameasafaith-doctor——thatwaswhatshecalledherself。Suffererscametoherfromallaround，andshelaidherhanduponthemandsaid，"Havefaith——
　　itisallthatisnecessary，"andtheywentawaywelloftheirailments。
　　Shewasnotareligiouswoman，andpretendedtonooccultpowers。Shesaidthatthepatient'sfaithinherdidthework。SeveraltimesIsawhermakeimmediatecuresofseveretoothaches。Mymotherwasthepatient。InAustriathereisapeasantwhodrivesagreattradeinthissortofindustry，andhasboththehighandthelowforpatients。Hegetsintoprisoneverynowandthenforpractisingwithoutadiploma，buthisbusinessisasbriskaseverwhenhegetsout，forhisworkisunquestionablysuccessfulandkeepshisreputationhigh。InBavariathereisamanwhoperformedsomanygreatcuresthathehadtoretirefromhisprofessionofstage-carpenteringinordertomeetthedemandofhisconstantlyincreasingbodyofcustomers。Hegoesonfromyeartoyeardoinghismiracles，andhasbecomeveryrich。Hepretendstonoreligioushelps，nosupernaturalaids，butthinksthereissomethinginhismake-upwhichinspirestheconfidenceofhispatients，andthatitisthisconfidencewhichdoesthework，andnotsomemysteriouspowerissuingfromhimself。
　　Withinthelastquarterofacentury，inAmerica，severalsectsofcurershaveappearedundervariousnamesandhavedonenotablethingsinthewayofhealingailmentswithouttheuseofmedicines。TherearetheMindCuretheFaithCure，thePrayerCure，theMentalScienceCure，andtheChristian-ScienceCure；andapparentlytheyalldotheirmiracleswiththesameold，powerfulinstrument——thepatient'simagination。Differingnames，butnodifferenceintheprocess。Buttheydonotgivethatinstrumentthecredit；eachsectclaimsthatitswaydiffersfromthewaysoftheothers。
　　Theyallachievesomecures，thereisnoquestionaboutit；andtheFaithCureandthePrayerCureprobablydonoharmwhentheydonogood，sincetheydonotforbidthepatienttohelpoutthecurewithmedicinesifhewantsto；buttheothersbarmedicines，andclaimabilitytocureeveryconceivablehumanailmentthroughtheapplicationoftheirmentalforcesalone。Therewouldseemtobeanelementofdangerhere。Ithasthelookofclaimingtoomuch，Ithink。Publicconfidencewouldprobablybeincreasediflesswereclaimed。
　　TheChristianScientistwasnotabletocuremystomach-acheandmycold；
　　butthehorse-doctordidit。ThisconvincesmethatChristianScienceclaimstoomuch。Inmyopinionitoughttoletdiseasesaloneandconfineitselftosurgery。Thereitwouldhaveeverythingitsownway。
　　Thehorse-doctorchargedmethirtykreutzers，andIpaidhim；infact，I
　　doubleditandgavehimashilling。Mrs。Fullerbroughtinanitemizedbillforacrateofbrokenbonesmendedintwohundredandthirty-fourplaces——onedollarperfracture。
　　"NothingexistsbutMind？"
　　"Nothing，"sheanswered。"Allelseissubstanceless，allelseisimaginary。"
　　Igaveheranimaginarycheck，andnowsheissuingmeforsubstantialdollars。Itlooksinconsistent。
　　CHAPTERV
　　Letusconsiderthatweareallpartiallyinsane。Itwillexplainustoeachother；itwillunriddlemanyriddles；itwillmakeclearandsimplemanythingswhichareinvolvedinhauntingandharassingdifficultiesandobscuritiesnow。
　　Thoseofuswhoarenotintheasylum，andnotdemonstrablyduethere，arenevertheless，nodoubt，insaneinoneortwoparticulars。Ithinkwemustadmitthis；butIthinkthatweareotherwisehealthy-minded。I
　　thinkthatwhenweallseeonethingalike，itisevidencethat，asregardsthatonething，ourmindsareperfectlysound。Nowtherearereallyseveralthingswhichwedoallseealike；thingswhichweallaccept，andaboutwhichwedonotdispute。Forinstance，wewhoareoutsideoftheasylumallagreethatwaterseeksitslevel；thatthesungiveslightandheat；thatfireconsumes；thatfogisdamp；thatsixtimessixarethirty-six，thattwofromtenleaveseight；thateightandsevenarefifteen。Theseare，perhaps，theonlythingsweareagreedabout；but，althoughtheyaresofew，theyareofinestimablevalue，becausetheymakeaninfalliblestandardofsanity。Whosoeveracceptsthemhimweknowtobesubstantiallysane；sufficientlysane；intheworkingessentials，sane。Whoeverdisputesasingleoneofthemhimweknowtobewhollyinsane，andqualifiedfortheasylum。
　　Verywell，themanwhodisputesnoneofthemweconcedetobeentitledtogoatlarge。Butthatisconcessionenough。Wecannotgoanyfurtherthanthat；forweknowthatinallmattersofmereopinionthatsamemanisinsane——justasinsaneasweare；justasinsaneasShakespearewas。
　　Weknowexactlywheretoputourfingeruponhisinsanity：itiswherehisopiniondiffersfromours。
　　Thatisasimplerule，andeasytoremember。WhenI，athoughtfulandunblessedPresbyterian，examinetheKoran，IknowthatbeyondanyquestioneveryMohammedanisinsane；notinallthings，butinreligiousmatters。WhenathoughtfulandunblessedMohammedanexaminestheWestminsterCatechism，heknowsthatbeyondanyquestionIamspirituallyinsane。Icannotprovetohimthatheisinsane，becauseyounevercanproveanythingtoalunatic——forthatisapartofhisinsanityandtheevidenceofit。HecannotprovetomethatIaminsane，formymindhasthesamedefectthatafflictshis。AllDemocratsareinsane，butnotoneofthemknowsit；nonebuttheRepublicansandMugwumpsknowit。AlltheRepublicansareinsane，butonlytheDemocratsandMugwumpscanperceiveit。Theruleisperfect：inallmattersofopinionouradversariesareinsane。WhenIlookaroundme，Iamoftentroubledtoseehowmanypeoplearemad。Tomentiononlyafew：
　　TheAtheist，TheTheosophists，TheInfidel，TheSwedenborgians，TheAgnostic，TheShakers，TheBaptist，TheMillerites，TheMethodist，TheMormons，TheChristianScientist，TheLaurenceOliphantHarrisites，TheCatholic，andthe115Christiansects，thePresbyterianexcepted，TheGrandLama'speople，TheMonarchists，TheImperialists，The72Mohammedansects，TheDemocrats，TheRepublicans（butnottheMugwumps），TheBuddhist，TheBlavatsky-Buddhist，TheMind-Curists，TheFaith-Curists，TheNationalist，TheMentalScientists，TheConfucian，TheSpiritualist，TheAllopaths，The2000EastIndiansects，TheHomeopaths，TheElectropaths，ThePeculiarPeople，The————
　　Butthere'snoendtothelist；therearemillionsofthem！Andallinsane；eachinhisownway；insaneastohispetfadoropinion，butotherwisesaneandrational。Thisshouldmoveustobecharitabletowardsoneanother'slunacies。IrecognizethatinhisspecialbelieftheChristianScientistisinsane，becausehedoesnotbelieveasIdo；
　　butIhailhimasmymateandfellow，becauseIamasinsaneasheinsanefromhispointofview，andhispointofviewisasauthoritativeasmineandworthasmuch。Thatistosay，worthabrassfarthing。Uponagreatreligiousorpoliticalquestion，theopinionofthedullestheadintheworldisworththesameastheopinionofthebrightestheadintheworld——abrassfarthing。Howdowearriveatthis？Itissimple。Theaffirmativeopinionofastupidmanisneutralizedbythenegativeopinionofhisstupidneighbornodecisionisreached；theaffirmativeopinionoftheintellectualgiantGladstoneisneutralizedbythenegativeopinionoftheintellectualgiantNewman——nodecisionisreached。Opinionsthatprovenothingare，ofcourse，withoutvalueanybutadeadpersonknowsthatmuch。Thisobligesustoadmitthetruthoftheunpalatablepropositionjustmentionedabove——that，indisputedmatterspoliticalandreligious，oneman'sopinionisworthnomorethanhispeer's，andhenceitfollowersthatnoman'sopinionpossessesanyrealvalue。Itisahumblingthought，butthereisnowaytogetaroundit：allopinionsuponthesegreatsubjectsarebrass-farthingopinions。