14。TheharnessingofallChristianSciencewedding-teams,membersofthebranchChurch,mustbedonebydulyauthorizedandconsecratedChristianSciencefunctionaries。Herfactoryistheonlyonethatmakesandlicensesthem。
[15。Nothingissaidaboutchristenings。ItisinferablefromthisthataChristianSciencechildisbornaChristianScientistandrequiresnotinkering。]
[16。Nothingissaidaboutfunerals。Itisinferable,then,thatabranchChurchisprivilegedtodointhatmatterasitmaychoose。]
Tosumup。AreanyimportantChurch-functionsabsentfromthelist?I
cannotcallanytomind。ArethereanylackingoneswhoseexercisecouldmakethebranchinanynoticeablewayindependentoftheMother。Church?
——eveninanytriflingdegree?Ithinkofnone。IfthenamedfunctionswereabolishedwouldtherestillbeaChurchleft?WouldtherebeevenashadowofaChurchleft?Wouldtherebeanythingatallleft?eventhebarename?
Manifestlynot。Thereisn'tasinglevitalandessentialChurch-functionofanykind,thatisnotnamedinthelist。AndovereveryoneofthemtheMother-Churchhaspermanentandunchallengeablecontrol,uponeveryoneofthemMrs。Eddyhassetherirremovablegrip。Sheholds,inperpetuity,autocraticandindisputablesovereigntyandcontrolovereverybranchChurchintheearth;andyetsays,inthatsugary,naive,angel-beguilingwayofhers,thattheMother-Church:
"shallassumenoofficialcontrolofotherchurchesofthisdenomination。"
Whereasintruththeunmeddled-withlibertiesofabranchChristianScienceChurcharebutvery,veryfewinnumber,andarethese:
1。Itcanappointitsownfurnace-stoker,winters。
2。Itcanappointitsownfan-distributors,summers。
3。Itcan,inaccordancewithitsownchoiceinthematter,burn,bury,orpreservememberswhoarepretendingtobedead——whereasthereisnosuchthingasdeath。
4。Itcantakeupacollection。
ThebranchChurcheshavenoimportantliberties,nonethatgivethemanimportantvoiceintheirownaffairs。Thosearealllockedup,andMrs。
Eddyhasthekey。"LocalSelf-Government"isalargenameandsoundswell;butthebranchChurcheshavenomoreofitthanhavetheprivatesintheKingofDahomey'sarmy。
"MOTHER-CHURCHUNIQUE"
Mrs。Eddy,withanenviousandadmiringeyeuponthesolitaryandrivallessandworld-shadowingmajestyofSt。Peter's,revealsinherBy-
lawsherpurposetosettheMother-ChurchapartbyitselfinastatelyseclusionandmakeitduplicatethatlonesublimityundertheWesternsky。TheBy-lawheaded"Mother-ChurchUnique"says——
"InitsrelationtootherChristianSciencechurches,theMother-Churchstandsalone。
"ItoccupiesapositionthatnootherChurchcanfill。
"ThenforabranchChurchtoassumesuchpositionwouldbedisastroustoChristianScience,"Therefore——"
ThereforenobranchChurchisallowedtohavebranches。ThereshallbenoChristianScienceSt。Peter'sintheearthbutjustone——theMother-
ChurchinBoston。
"NOFIRSTMEMBERS"
ButforthethoughtfulBy-lawthusentitled,everySciencebranchintheearthwouldimitatetheMother-Churchandsetupanaristocracy。Everylittlegroupofground-floorSmithsandFurgusonsandShadwellsandSimpsonsthatorganizedabranchwouldassumethatgreattitle,of"FirstMembers,"alongwithitsvastprivilegesof"discussing"theweatherandcastingblankballots,andsoontherewouldbesuchalocust-plagueofthemburdeningtheglobethatthetitlewouldloseitsvalueandhavetobeabolished。
Butwherebusinessandgloryareconcerned,Mrs。Eddythinksofeverything,andsoshedidnotfailtotakecareofherAborigines,herstatelyandexclusiveOneHundred,hercollegeoffunctionlesscardinals,herSanhedrinofPrivilegedTalkers(Limited)。AftertakingawayallthelibertiesofthebranchChurches,andinthesamebreathdisclaimingallofficialcontrolovertheiraffairs,shesmitesthemonthemouthwiththis——theverymouththatwaswateringforthosenobbyground-floorhonors——
"NoFirstMembers。BranchChurchesshallnotorganizewithFirstMembers,thatspecialmethodoforganizationbeingadaptedtotheMother-
Churchalone。"
Andso,firstmembersbeingprohibited,wepiercethroughthecloudofMrs。Eddy'sEnglishandperceivethattheymustthennecessarilyorganizewithSubsequentMembers。Thereisnootherway。Itwilloccurtothemby-and-bytofoundanaristocracyofEarlySubsequentMembers。ThereisnoBy-lawagainstit。
"THE"
Iuncovertothatimperialword。Andtothemind,too,thatconceivedtheideaofseizingandmonopolizingitasatitle。IbelieveitisMrs。
Eddy'sdazzlingestinvention。Forshow,andstyle,andgrandeur,andthunderandlightningandfireworksitoutclassesallthepreviousinventionsofman,andraisesthelimitonthePope。Hecanneverputhisavidhandonthatwordofwords——itispre-empted。Andcopyrighted,ofcourse。ItliftstheMother-Churchawayupinthesky,andfellowshipsitwiththerareandselectandexclusivelittlecompanyoftheTHE'sofdeathlessglory——personsandthingswhereofhistoryandtheagescouldfurnishonlysingleexamples,nottwo:theSaviour,theVirgin,theMilkyWay,theBible,theEarth,theEquator,theDevil,theMissingLink——andnowTheFirstChurch,Scientist。AndbyclamorofedictandBy-lawMrs。EddygivespersonalnoticetoallbranchScientistChurchesonthisplanettoleavethatTHEalone。
ShehasdemonstratedoveritandmadeitsacredtotheMother-Church:
"Thearticle'The'mustnotbeusedbeforethetitlesofbranchChurches——
"Norwrittenonapplicationsformembershipinnamingsuchchurches。"
Thosearetheterms。TherecanandwillbeamillionFirstChurchesofChrist,Scientist,scatteredovertheworld,inamilliontownsandvillagesandhamletsandcities,andeachmaycallitself(suppressingthearticle),"FirstChurchofChrist。Scientist"——itispermissible,andnoharm;butthereisonlyoneTheChurchofChrist,Scientist,andtherewillneverbeanother。Andwhetherthatgreatwordfallinthemiddleofasentenceoratthebeginningofit,itmustalwayshaveitscapitalT。
Idonotsupposethatajuvenilepassionforfussylittleworldlyshowsandvanitiescanfurnishamatchtothis,anywhereinthehistoryofthenursery。Mrs。Eddydoesseemtobeashadefonderoflittlespecialdistinctionsandpompsthanisusualwithhumanbeings。
Sheinstitutedthatimmodest"The"withherownhand;shedidnotwaitforsomebodyelsetothinkofit。
ALIFE-TERMMONOPOLY
ThereisbutonehumanPastorinthewholeChristianScienceworld;shereservesthatexaltedplacetoherself。
APERPETUALONE
ThereisbutoneotherobjectinthewholeChristianScienceworldhonoredwiththattitleandholdingthatoffice:itisherbook,theAnnex——permanentPastorofTheFirstChurch,andofallbranchChurches。
WithherownhandshedraughtedtheBy-lawswhichmakehertheonlyreallyabsolutesovereignthatlivesto-dayinChristendom。
Shedoesnotallowanyobjectionablepicturestobeexhibitedintheroomwhereherbookissold,noranyindulgenceinidlegossipthere;andfromthegenerallookofthatBy-lawIjudgethatalightsomeandimproperpersoncanbeasuncomfortableinthatplaceashecouldbeinheaven。
THESANCTUMSANCTORUMANDSACREDCHAIR
InaroominTheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist,thereisamuseumofobjectswhichhaveattainedtoholinessthroughcontactwithMrs。Eddy——
amongthemanelectricallylightedoil-pictureofachairwhichsheusedtositin——anddisciplesfromallabouttheworldgosoftlyinthere,inrestrictedgroups,underproperguard,andreverentlygazeuponthoserelics。Itisworship。Mrs。Eddycouldstopitifshewasnotfondofit,forhersovereigntyoverthattempleissupreme。
Thefitting-upofthatplaceasashrineisnotanaccident,noracasual,unweighedidea;itisimitatedfromage——oldreligiouscustom。
InTrevesthepilgrimreverentlygazesupontheSeamlessRobe,andhumblyworships;anddoesthesameinthatothercontinentalchurchwheretheykeepaduplicate;anddoeslikewiseintheChurchoftheHolySepulchre,inJerusalem,wherememorialsoftheCrucifixionarepreserved;andnow,bygoodfortunewehaveourHolyChairandthings,andamarketforouradorationsnearerhome。
Butistherenotadetailthatisnew,fresh,original?Yes,whateveroldthingMrs。Eddytouchesgetssomethingnewbythecontact——somethingnotthoughtofbeforebyanyone——somethingoriginal,allherown,andcopyrightable。Thenewfeatureisselfworship——exhibitedinpermittingthisshrinetobeinstalledduringherlifetime,andwinkinghersacredeyeatit。
AprominentChristianScientisthasassuredmethattheScientistsdonotworshipMrs。Eddy,andIthinkitlikelythattheremaybefiveorsixofthecultintheworldwhodonotworshipher,butsheherselfiscertainlynotofthatcompany。Anyhealthy-mindedpersonwhowillexamineMrs。Eddy'slittleAutobiographyandtheManualofBy-lawswrittenbyherwillbeconvincedthatsheworshipsherself;andthatshebringstothisserviceafervorofdevotionsurpassingeventhatwhichsheformerlylaidatthefeetoftheDollar,andequallinganywhichrisestotheThroneofGracefromanyquarter。
IthinkthisisasgoodaplaceasanytosalveahurtwhichIwasthemeansofinflictinguponaChristianScientistlately。Thefirstthirdofthisbookwaswrittenin1899inVienna。UntillastsummerIhadsupposedthatthatthirdhadbeenprintedinabookwhichIpublishedaboutayearlater——ahapwhichhadnothappened。IthensentthechapterscomposingittotheNorthAmericanReview,butfailed。inoneinstance,todatethem。Andso,InanundatedchapterIsaidaladytoldme"lastnight"soandso。Therewasnothingtoindicatetothereaderthatthat"lastnight"wasseveralyearsold,thereforethephraseseemedtorefertoanightofveryrecentdate。Whattheladyhadtoldmewas,thatinapartoftheMother-ChurchinBostonshehadseenScientistsworshippingaportraitofMrs。Eddybeforewhichalightwaskeptconstantlyburning。
AScientistcametomeandwishedmetoretractthat"untruth。"Hesaidtherewasnosuchportrait,andthatifIwantedtobesureofitIcouldgotoBostonandseeformyself。Iexplainedthatmy"lastnight"meantagoodwhileago;thatIdidnotdoubthisassertionthattherewasnosuchportraittherenow,butthatIshouldcontinuetobelieveithadbeenthereatthetimeofthelady'svisituntilsheshouldretractherstatementherself。Iwasatnotimevouchingforthetruthoftheremark,neverthelessIconsidereditworthpar。
AndyetIamsorrytheladytoldme,sinceawoundwhichbringsmenohappinesshasresulted。IammostwillingtoapplysuchsalveasIcan。
Thebestwaytosetthematterrightandmakeeverythingpleasantandagreeableallaroundwillbetoprintinthisplaceadescriptionoftheshrineasitappearedtoarecentvisitor,Mr。FrederickW。Peabody,ofBoston。Iwillcopyhisnewspaperaccount,andthereaderwillseethatMrs。Eddy'sportraitisnottherenow:
"WelatelystoodonthethresholdoftheHolyofHoliesoftheMother-
Church,andwithacrowdofworshipperspatientlywaitedforadmittancetothehallowedprecinctsofthe'Mother'sRoom。'Overthedoorwaywasasigninformingusthatbutfourpersonsatatimewouldbeadmitted;thattheywouldbepermittedtoremainbutfiveminutesonly,andwouldpleaseretirefromthe'Mother'sRoom'attheringingofthebell。Enteringwiththreeofthefaithful,welookedwithprofaneeyesupontheconsecratedfurnishings。Ashow-womaninattendancemonotonouslyannouncedthecharacterofthedifferentappointments。Setinarecessofthewallandilluminedwithelectriclightwasanoil-paintingtheshow-womanseriouslydeclaredtobealifelikeandrealisticpictureoftheChairinwhichtheMothersatwhenshecomposedher'inspired'work。
Itwasapictureofanold-fashioned?country,hairclothrocking-chair,andanexceedinglycommonplace-lookingtablewithapileofmanuscript,anink-bottle,andpenconspicuouslyuponit。Onthefloorweresheetsofmanuscript。'Themantel-pieceisofpureonyx,'continuedtheshow-
woman,'andthebeehiveuponthewindow-sillismadefromonesolidblockofonyx;therugismadeofahundredbreastsofeider-downducks,andthetoilet-roomyouseeinthecornerisofthelatestdesign,withgold-
plateddrain-pipes;thepaintedwindowsarefromtheMother'spoem,"ChristandChristmas,"andthatcasecontainscompletecopiesofalltheMother'sbooks。'ThechairsuponwhichthesacredpersonoftheMotherhadreposedwereprotectedfromsacrilegioustouchbyabroadbandofsatinribbon。Mycompanionsexpressedtheiradmirationinsubduedandreverenttones,andatthetinklingofthebellwereverentlytiptoedoutoftheroomtoadmitanotherdelegationofthepatientwaitersatthedoor。"
Now,then,Ihopethewoundishealed。Iamwillingtorelinquishtheportrait,andcompromiseontheChair。Atthesametime,ifIweregoingtoworshipeither,IshouldnotchoosetheChair。
Asapicturesquelyandpersistentlyinterestingpersonage,thereisnomatetoMrs。Eddy,theacceptedEqualoftheSaviour。ButsomeofhertastesaresodifferentfromHis!IfinditquiteimpossibletoimagineHim,inlife,standingsponsorforthatmuseumthere,andtakingpleasureinitssumptuousshows。IbelieveHewouldputthatChairinthefire,andthebellalongwithit;andIthinkHewouldmaketheshow-womangoaway。IthinkHewouldbreakthoseelectricbulbs,andthe"mantel-pieceofpureonyx,"andsayreproachfulthingsaboutthegoldendrain-pipesofthelavatory,andgivethecostlyrugofduck-breaststothepoor,andseverthesatinribbonandinvitethewearytorestandeasetheirachesintheconsecratedchairs。WhatHewoulddowiththepaintedwindowswecanbetterconjecturewhenwecomepresentlytoexaminetheirpeculiarities。
THECHRISTIANSCIENCEPASTOR-UNIVERSAL
WhenMrs。EddyturnedthepastorsoutofalltheChristianSciencechurchesandabolishedtheofficeforalltimeasfarashumanoccupancyisconcerned——sheappointedtheHolyGhosttofilltheirplace。Ifthislanguagebeblasphemous,Ididnotinventtheblasphemy,Iammerelystatingafact。Iwillquotefrompage227ofScienceandHealth(edition1899),asafirststeptowardsanexplanationofthisstartlingmatter——apassagewhichsetsforthandclassifiestheChristianScienceTrinity:
"Life,Truth,andLoveconstitutethetriuneGod,ortriplydivinePrinciple。Theyrepresentatrinityinunity,threeinone——thesameinessence,thoughmultiforminoffice:GodtheFather;ChristthetypeofSonship;DivineScience,ortheHolyComforter……
"TheHolyGhost,orSpirit,revealsthistriunePrinciple,and(theHolyGhost)isexpressedinDivineScience,whichistheComforter,leadingintoallTruth,andrevealingthedivinePrincipleoftheuniverse——
universalandperpetualharmony。"
Iwillciteanotherpassage。SpeakingofJesus——
"HisstudentsthenreceivedtheHolyGhost。Bythisismeant,thatbyalltheyhadwitnessedandsufferedtheywererousedtoanenlargedunderstandingofDivineScience,eventothespiritualinterpretation……ofHisteachings,"etc。
Also,page579,inthechaptercalledtheGlossary:
"HOLYGHOST。DivineScience;thedevelopmentsofLife,Truth,andLove。"
TheHolyGhostrevealsthemassedspiritofthefusedtrinity;thismassedspiritisexpressedinDivineScience,andistheComforter;
DivineScienceconveystomenthe"spiritualinterpretation"oftheSaviour'steachings。Thatseemstobethemeaningofthequotedpassages。
DivineScienceisChristianScience;thebookScienceandHealthisa"revelation"ofthewholespiritoftheTrinity,andistherefore"TheHolyGhost";itconveystomenthe"spiritualinterpretation"oftheBible'steachings。andthereforeis"theComforter。"
Idonotfindthisanalyzingworkeasy,Iwouldrathersawwood;andapersoncannevertellwhetherhehasaddedupaScienceandHealthsumrightornot,anyway,afterallhistrouble。NeithercanheeasilyfindoutwhetherthetextsarestillonthemarketorhavebeendiscardedfromtheBook;fortwohundredandfifty-eighteditionsofithavebeenissued,andnotwoeditionsseemtobealike。Theannualchanges——intechnicalterminology;inmatterandwording;intranspositionsofchaptersandverses;inleavingoutoldchaptersandversesandputtinginnewones——seemtobenexttoinnumerable,andasthereisnoindex,thereisnowaytofindathingonewantswithoutreadingthebookthrough。IfeverIinspireaBible-AnnexIwillnotrushatitinahalf-digested,helter-skelterwayandhavetoputinthirty-eightyearstryingtogetsomeofitthewayIwantit,IwillsitdownandthinkitoutandknowwhatitisIwanttosaybeforeIbegin。AninspirercannotinspireforMrs。Eddyandkeephisreputation。Ihaveneverseensuchslipshodwork,barthetenthatinterpretedforthehomemarketthe"sellallthouhast。"Ihavequotedone"spiritual"renderingoftheLord'sPrayer,Ihaveseenoneotherone,andamtoldtherearefivemore。YettheinspirerofMrs。EddythenewInfalliblecastsacomplacentcriticalstoneattheotherInfallibleforbeingunabletomakeupitsmindaboutsuchthings。ScienceandHealth,edition1899,page33:
"Thedecisions,byvoteofChurchCouncils,astowhatshouldandshouldnotbeconsideredHolyWrit,themanifestmistakesintheancientversions:thethirtythousanddifferentreadingsintheOldTestamentandthethreehundredthousandintheNew——thesefactsshowhowamortalandmaterialsensestoleintothedivinerecord,darkening,tosomeextent,theinspiredpageswithitsownhue。"
Tosomeextent,yes——speakingcautiously。Butitisnothing,reallynothing;Mrs。Eddyisonlyalittlewaybehind,andifherinspirerlivestogetherAnnextosuithimthatCatholicrecordwillhaveto"go'waybackandsetdown,"astheballadsays。ListentotheboastfulsongofMrs。Eddy'sorgan,theChristianScienceJournalforMarch,1902,aboutthatyear'srevampingandhalf-solingofScienceandHealth,whoseofficialnameistheHolyGhost,theComforter,andwhoisnowtheOfficialPastorandInfallibleandUnerringGuideofeveryChristianSciencechurchinthetwohemispheres,hearSimpleSimonthatmetthepiemanbragoftheInfallible'sfallibility:
"ThroughouttheentirebooktheverbalchangesaresonumerousastoindicatethevastamountoftimeandlaborMrs。Eddyhasdevotedtothisrevision。Thetimeandlaborthusbestowedisrelativelyasgreatasthatof——thecommitteewhorevisedtheBible……ThuswehaveadditionalevidenceoftheherculeaneffortsourbelovedLeaderhasmadeandisconstantlymakingforthepromulgationofTruthandthefurtheranceofherdivinelybestowedmission,"etc。
Itisasteadyjob。Icouldhelpinspireifdesired;Iamnotdoingmuchnow,andwouldworkforhalf-price,andshouldnotobjecttothecountry。
PRICEOFTHEPASTOR-UNIVERSAL
ThepriceofthePastor-Universal,ScienceandHealth,calledinScienceliteraturetheComforter——andbythatothersacredName——isthreedollarsincloth,asheretofore,sixwhenitisfinelybound,andshapedtoimitatetheTestament,andisbrokenintoverses。Marginofprofitabovecostofmanufacture,fromfivehundredtosevenhundredpercent。,asalreadynotedIntheprofanesubscription-trade,itcoststhepublisherheavilytocanvassathree-dollarbook;hemustpaythegeneralagentsixtypercent。commission——thatistosay,onedollarandeighty-
cents。Mrs。Eddyescapesthisblisteringtax,becausesheownstheChristianSciencecanvasser,andcancompelhimtoworkfornothing。
Readthefollowingcommand——notrequest——fulminatedbyMrs。Eddy,overhersignature,intheChristianScienceJournalforMarch,1897,andquotedbyMr。Peabodyinhisbook。ThebookreferredtoisScienceandHealth:
"ItshallbethedutyofallChristianScientiststocirculateandtosellasmanyofthesebooksastheycan。"
Thatisflungatalltheelect,everywherethatthesunshines,butnopenaltyisshakenovertheirheadstoscarethem。Thesamecommandwasissuedtothemembers(numberingto-daytwenty-fivethousand)ofTheMother-Church,also,butwithitwentathreat,oftheinfliction,incaseofdisobedience,ofthemostdreadedpunishmentthathasaplaceintheChurch'slistofpenaltiesfortransgressionsofMrs。Eddy'sedicts——excommunication:
"IfamemberofTheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist,shallfailtoobeythisinjunction,itwillrenderhimliabletolosehismembershipinthisChurch。MARYBAKEREDDY。"
ItisthespiritoftheSpanishInquisition。
Nonebutacceptedandwellestablishedgodscanventureanaffrontlikethatanddoitwithconfidence。Butthehumanracewilltakeanythingfromthatclass。Mrs。Eddyknowsthehumanrace;knowsitbetterthananymerehumanbeinghasknownitinathousandcenturies。Myconfidenceinherhuman-beingshipisgettingshaken,myconfidenceinhergodshipisstiffening。
SEVENHUNDREDPERCENT。
AScientistoutWesthasvisitedabookseller——withintenttofindfaultwithme——andhasbroughtawaytheinformationthatthepriceatwhichMrs。EddysellsScienceandHealthisnotanunusuallyhighoneforthesizeandmakeofthebook。Thatistrue。Butinthebook-trade——thatprofit-devourerunknowntoMrs。Eddy'sbook——athree-dollarbookthatismadeforthirty-fiveorfortycentsinlargeeditionsisputatthreedollarsbecausethepublisherhastopayauthor,middleman,andadvertising,andifthepriceweremuchbelowthreetheprofitaccruingwouldnotpayhimfairlyforhistimeandlabor。Atthesametime,ifhecouldgettendollarsforthebookhewouldtakeit,andhismoralswouldnotfallundercriticism。
ButifhewereaninspiredpersoncommissionedbytheDeitytoreceiveandprintandspreadbroadcastamongsorrowingandsufferingandpoormenapreciousmessageofhealingandcheerandsalvation,hewouldhavetodoasBibleSocietiesdo——sellthebookatapinchedmarginabovecosttosuchascouldpay,andgiveitfreetoallthatcouldn't;andhisnamewouldbepraised。Butifhesolditatsevenhundredpercent。profitandputthemoneyinhispocket,hisnamewouldbemockedandderided。
JustasMrs。Eddy'sis。Andmostjustifiably,asitseemstome。
ThecompleteBiblecontainsonemillionwords。TheNewTestamentbyitselfcontainstwohundredandfortythousandwords。
My'84editionofScienceandHealthcontainsonehundredandtwentythousandwords——justhalfasmanyastheNewTestament。
ScienceandHealthhassincebeensoinflatedbylaterinspirationsthatthe1902editioncontainsonehundredandeightythousandwords——notcountingthethirtythousandattheback,devotedbyMrs。Eddytoadvertisingthebook'shealingabilities——andtheinspiringcontinuesrightalong。
Ifyouhaveabookwhosemarketissosureandsogreatthatyoucangiveaprinteraneverlastingorderforthirtyorfortyorfiftythousandcopiesayearhewillfurnishthematacheaprate,becausewheneverthereisaslacktimeinhispress-roomandbinderyhecanfilltheidleintervalsonyourbookandbemakingsomethinginsteadoflosing。ThatisthekindofcontractthatcanbeletonScienceandHealtheveryyear。
Iamobligedtodoubtthatthethree-dollarScienceandHealthcostsMrs。
Eddyabovefifteencents,orthatthesixdollarcopycostsheraboveeightycents。Ifeelquitesurethattheaverageprofittoheronthesebooks,abovecostofmanufacture,isallofsevenhundredpercent。
EveryproperChristianScientisthastobuyandown(andcanvassfor)
ScienceandHealth(onehundredandeightythousandwords),andhemustalsoownaBible(onemillionwords)。Hecanbuytheoneforfromthreetosixdollars,andtheotherforfifteencents。Or,ifthreedollarsisallthemoneyhehas,hecangethisBiblefornothing。WhentheSupremeBeingdisseminatesasavingMessagethroughuninspiredagents——theNewTestament,forinstance——itcanbedoneforfivecentsacopy,butwhenHesendsonecontainingonlytwo-thirdsasmanywordsthroughtheshopofaDivinePersonage,itcostssixtytimesasmuch。Ithinkthatinmattersofsuchimportanceitisbadeconomytoemployawild-catagency。
Herearesomefigureswhichareperfectlyauthentic,andwhichseemtojustifymyopinion。
"These[Bible]societies,inspiredonlybyasenseofreligiousduty,areissuingtheBibleatapricesosmallthattheyhavemadeitthecheapestbookprinted。Forexample,theAmericanBibleSocietyoffersaneditionofthewholeBibleaslowasfifteencentsandtheNewTestamentatfivecents,andtheBritishSocietyatsixpenceandonepenny,respectively。
Theselowprices,madepossiblebytheirpolicyofsellingthebooksatcostorbelowcost,"etc。——NewYorkSun,February25,1903。
CHAPTERIX
Wemaynowmakeafinalfooting-upofMrs。Eddy,andseewhatsheis,inthefulnessofherpowers。SheisTheMassachusettsMetaphysicalCollegePastorEmeritus;
President;
BoardofDirectors;
BoardofEducation;
BoardofLectureships;
FutureBoardofTrustees,ProprietorofthePublishing-HouseandPeriodicals;
Treasurer;
Clerk;
ProprietoroftheTeachers;
ProprietoroftheLecturers;
ProprietoroftheMissionaries;
ProprietoroftheReaders;
DictatoroftheServices;soleVoiceofthePulpit;
ProprietoroftheSanhedrin;
SoleProprietoroftheCreed。(Copyrighted。);
IndisputableAutocratoftheBranchChurches,withtheirlifeanddeathinherhands;
SoleThinkerforTheFirstChurch(andtheothers);
SoleandInfallibleExpounderofDoctrine,inlifeandindeath;
SolepermissibleDiscoverer,Denouncer,Judge,andExecutionerofOstensibleHypnotists;
Fifty-handedGodofExcommunication——withathunderboltineveryhand;
AppointerandInstallerofthePastorofalltheChurches——thePerpetualPastor-Universal,ScienceandHealth,"theComforter。"
CHAPTERX
Thereshestands-paintedbyherself。Nowitnessbutherselfhasbeenallowedtotestify。Shestandstherepaintedbyheracts,anddecoratedbyherwords。Whenshetalks,shehasonlyadecorativevalueasawitness,eitherfororagainstherself,forshedealsmainlyinunsupportedassertion;andintherarecaseswheresheputsforwardaverifiablefactshegetsoutofitameaningwhichitrefusestofurnishtoanybodyelse。Also,whenshetalks,sheisunstable,shewanders,sheisincurablyinconsistent;whatshesaysto-dayshecontradictstomorrow。
Butheractsareconsistent。Theyarealwaysfaithfultoher,theynevermisinterprether,theyareamirrorwhichalwaysreflectsherexactly,precisely,minutely,unerringly,andalwaysthesame,todate,withonlythoseprogressivelittlenaturalchangesinstature,dress,complexion,mood,andcarriagethatmark——exteriorly——themarchoftheyearsandrecordtheaccumulationsofexperience,while——interiorly——throughallthissteadydriftofevolutiontheoneessentialdetail,thecommandingdetail,themasterdetailofthemake-upremainsasitwasinthebeginning,suffersnochangeandcansuffernone;thebasisofthecharacter;thetemperament,thedisposition,thatindestructibleironframeworkuponwhichthecharacterisbuilt,andwhoseshapeitmusttake,andkeep,throughoutlife。Wecallitaperson'snature。
Themanwhoisbornstingycanbetaughttogiveliberally——withhishands;butnotwithhisheart。Themanbornkindandcompassionatecanhavethatdispositioncrusheddownoutofsightbyembitteringexperience;butifitwereanorganthepost-mortemwouldfinditstillinhiscorpse。Themanbornambitiousofpowerandglorymaylivelongwithoutfindingitout,butwhentheopportunitycomeshewillknow,willstrikeforthelargestthingwithinthelimitofhischancesatthetime-
constable,perhaps——andwillbegladandproudwhenhegetsit,andwillwritehomeaboutit。Buthewillnotstopwiththatstart;hisappetitewillcomeagain;andby-and-byagain,andyetagain;andwhenhehasclimbedtopolicecommissioneritwillatlastbegintodawnuponhimthatwhathisNapoleonsoulwantsandwasbornforissomethingawayhigherup——hedoesnotquiteknowwhat,butCircumstanceandOpportunitywillindicatethedirectionandhewillcutaroadthroughandfindout。
IthinkMrs。Eddywasbornwithafar-seeingbusiness-eye,butdidnotknowit;andwithagreatorganizingandexecutivetalent,anddidnotknowit;andwithalargeappetiteforpoweranddistinction,anddidnotknowit。IthinkthereasonthathermakedidnotshowupuntilmiddlelifewasthatshehadGeneralGrant'sluck——CircumstanceandOpportunitydidnotcomeherwaywhenshewasyounger。Thequalitiesthatwereborninherhadtowaitforcircumstanceandopportunity——buttheywerethere:
theyweretheretostay,whethertheyevergotachancetofructifyornot。Iftheyhadcomeearly,theywouldhavefoundherreadyandcompetent。Andthey——notshe——wouldhavedeterminedwhattheywouldsetheratandwhattheywouldmakeofher。Iftheyhadelectedtocommissionherassecond-assistantcookinabankruptboarding-house,Iknowtherestofit——Iknowwhatwouldhavehappened。Shewouldhaveownedtheboarding-housewithinsixmonths;shewouldhavehadthelateproprietoronsalaryandhumpinghimself,astheworldlysay;shewouldhavehadthatboarding-housespewingmoneylikeamint;shewouldhaveworkedtheservantsandthelatelandlorduptothelimit;shewouldhavesqueezedtheboarderstilltheywailed,andbysomemysteriousqualityborninhershewouldhavekepttheaffectionsofcertainofthelotwhoseloveandesteemshevalued,andflungtheothersdownthebackarea;intwoyearsshewouldownalltheboarding-housesinthetown,infivealltheboarding-housesintheState,intwentyallthehotelsinAmerica,infortyallthehotelsontheplanet,andwouldsitathomewithherfingeronabuttonandgovernthewholecombinationaseasilyasabench-managergovernsadog-show。
Itwouldbeagrandthingtosee,andIfeelakindofdisappointment——
butnevermind,areligionisbetterandlarger;andthereismoretoit。
AndIhavenotbeensteepingmyselfinChristianSciencealltheseweekswithoutfindingoutthattheonesensiblethingtodowithadisappointmentistoputitoutofyourmindandthinkofsomethingcheerfuler。
WeoutsiderscannotconceiveofMrs。Eddy'sChristianScienceReligionasbeingasuddenandmiraculousbirth,butonlyasagrowthfromaseedplantedbycircumstances,anddevelopedstagebystagebycommandandcompulsionofthesameforce。Whatthestageswerewecannotknow,butareprivilegedtoguess。Shemayhavegottenthemental-healingideafromQuimby——ithadbeenexperimentedwithforages,andwasnoone'sspecialproperty。[Forthepresent,forconvenience'sake,letusproceeduponthehypothesisthatthatwasallshegotofhim,andthatsheputuptherestoftheassetsherself。Thiswillstrainus,butletustryit。]Ineachandallitsformsandunderallitsmanynames,mentalhealinghadhadlimits,always,andtheywererathernarrowones——
Mrs。Eddy,letusimagine,removedthefence,abolishedthefrontiers。
Notbyexpandingmental-healing,butbyabsorbingitssmallbulkintothevasterbulkofChristianScience——DivineScience,TheHolyGhost,theComforter——whichwasaquitedifferentandsublimerforce,andonewhichhadlonglaindormantandunemployed。
TheChristianScientistbelievesthattheSpiritofGod(lifeandlove)
pervadestheuniverselikeanatmosphere;thatwhosowillstudyScienceandHealthcangetfromitthesecretofhowtoinhalethattransformingair;thattobreatheitistobemadenew;thatfromthenewmanallsorrow,allcare,allmiseriesofthemindvanishaway,forthatonlypeace,contentmentandmeasurelessjoycanliveinthatdivinefluid;
thatitpurifiesthebodyfromdisease,whichisaviciouscreationofthegrosshumanmind,andcannotcontinuetoexistinthepresenceoftheImmortalMind,therenewingSpiritofGod。
TheScientistfindsthisreasonable,natural,andnothardertobelievethanthatthediseasegerm,acreatureofdarkness,perisheswhenexposedtothelightofthegreatsun——anewrevelationofprofanesciencewhichnoonedoubts。Heremindsusthattheactinicray,shininguponlupus,curesit——ahorriblediseasewhichwasincurablefifteenyearsago,andhadbeenincurablefortenmillionyearsbefore;thatthiswonder,unbelievablebythephysiciansatfirst,isbelievedbythemnow;andsoheistranquillyconfidentthatthetimeiscomingwhentheworldwillbeeducateduptoapointwhereitwillcomprehendandgrantthatthelightoftheSpiritofGod,shiningunobstructeduponthesoul,isanactinicraywhichcanpurgebothmindandbodyfromdiseaseandsetthemfreeandmakethemwhole。
Itisapparent,then,thatinChristianScienceitisnotoneman'smindactinguponanotherman'smindthatheals;thatitissolelytheSpiritofGodthatheals;thatthehealer'smindperformsnoofficebuttoconveythatforcetothepatient;thatitismerelythewirewhichcarriestheelectricfluid,sotospeak,anddeliversthemessage。
Therefore,ifthesethingsbetrue,mental-healingandScience-healingareseparateanddistinctprocesses,andnokinshipexistsbetweenthem。
Tohealthebodyofitsillsandpainsisamightybenefaction,butinourdayourphysiciansandsurgeonsworkathousandmiracles——prodigieswhichwouldhaverankedasmiraclesfiftyyearsago——andtheyhavesogreatlyextendedtheirdominationoverdiseasethatwefeelsowellprotectedthatweareabletolookwithagooddealofcomposureandabsenceofhystericsupontheclaimsofnewcompetitorsinthatfield。
Butthereisamightierbenefactionthanthehealingofthebody,andthatisthehealingofthespirit——whichisChristianScience'sotherclaim。SofarasIknow,sofarasIcanfindout,itmakesitgood。
PersonallyIhavenotknownaScientistwhodidnotseemserene,contented,unharassed。IhavenotfoundanoutsiderwhoseobservationofScientistsfurnishedhimaviewthatdifferedfrommyown。Buoyantspirits,comfortofmind,freedomfromcarethesehappinessesweallhave,atintervals;butinthespacesbetween,dearme,theblackhours!
TheyhaveputacurseuponthelifeofeveryhumanbeingIhaveeverknown,youngorold。Iconcedenotasingleexception。UnlessitmightbethoseScientistsjustreferredto。Theymayhavebeenplayingapartwithme;Ihopetheywerenot,andIbelievetheywerenot。
TimewilltesttheScience'sclaim。Iftimeshallmakeitgood;iftimeshallprovethattheSciencecanhealthepersecutedspiritofmanandbanishitstroublesandkeepitsereneandsunnyandcontent——why,thenMrs。Eddywillhaveamonumentthatwillreachabovetheclouds。Forifshedidnothituponthatimperialideaandevolveitanddeliverit,itsdiscoverercanneverbeidentifiedwithcertainty,now,Ithink。Itisthegiantfeature,itisthesunthatridesinthezenithofChristianScience,theauxiliaryfeaturesareofminorconsequence[Letusstillleavethelarge"if"aside,forthepresent,andproceedasifithadnoexistence。]
ItisnotsupposablethatMrs。Eddyrealized,atfirst,thesizeofherplunder。(No,find——thatistheword;shedidnotrealizethesizeofherfind,atfirst。)Ithadtogrowuponher,bydegrees,inaccordancewiththeinalterablecustomofCircumstance,whichworksbystages,andbystagesonly,andneverfurnishesanymindwithallthematerialsforalargeideaatonetime。
Inthebeginning,Mrs。Eddywasprobablyinterestedmerelyinthemental-
healingdetailAndperhapsmainlyinterestedinitpecuniary,forshewaspoor。
Shewouldsucceedinanythingsheundertook。Shewouldattractpupils,andhercommercewouldgrow。Shewouldinspireinpatientandpupilconfidenceinherearnestness,herhistoryisevidencethatshewouldnotfailofthat。
Thereprobablycameatime,induecourse,whenherstudentsbegantothinktherewassomethingdeeperinherteachingsthantheyhadbeensuspecting——amysterybeyondmental-healing,andhigher。Itisconceivablethatbyconsequencetheirmannertowardsherchangedlittlebylittle,andfromrespectfulbecamereverent。Itisconceivablethatthiswouldhaveaninfluenceuponher;thatitwouldinclinehertowonderiftheirsecretthought——thatshewasinspired——mightnotbeawell-groundedguess。Itisconceivablethatastimewentonthethoughtintheirmindsanditsreflectioninhersmightsolidifyintoconviction。
Shewouldremember,then,thatasachildshehadbeencalled,morethanonce,byamysteriousvoice——justashadhappenedtolittleSamuel。
(MentionedinherAutobiography。)Shewouldbeimpressedbythatancientreminiscence,now,anditcouldhaveapropheticmeaningforher。
Itisconceivablethatthepersuasiveinfluencesaroundherandwithinherwouldgiveanewandpowerfulimpulsetoherphilosophizings,andthatfromthis,intime,wouldresultthatgreatbirth,thehealingofbodyandmindbytheinpouringoftheSpiritofGod——thecentralanddominantideaofChristianScience——andthatwhenthisideacameshewouldnotdoubtthatitwasaninspirationdirectfromHeaven。
CHAPTERXI
[Imustrestalittle,now。TosithereandpainstakinglyspinoutaschemewhichimaginesMrs。Eddy,ofallpeople,workinghermindonaplaneabovecommercialism;imaginesherthinking,philosophizing,discoveringmajesticthings;andevenimaginesherdealinginsincerities——tobefrank,IfinditalargecontractButIhavebegunit,andIwillgothroughwithit。]
CHAPTERXII
Itisevidentthatshemadedisciplesfast,andthattheirbeliefinherandintheauthenticityofherheavenlyambassadorshipwasnotofthelukewarmandhalf-waysort,butwasprofoundlyearnestandsincere。Herbookwasissuedfromthepressin1875,itbeganitsworkofconvert-
making,andwithinsixyearsshehadsuccessfullylaunchedanewReligionandanewsystemofhealing,andwasteachingthemtocrowdsofeagerstudentsinaCollegeofherown,atpricessoextraordinarythatwearealmostcompelledtoacceptherstatement(no,herguardedintimation)
thattherateswerearrangedonhigh,sinceamerehumanbeingunacquaintedwithcommerceandaccustomedtothinkinpenniescouldhardlyputupsuchahandasthatwithoutsupernaturalhelp。
Fromthisstageonward——Mrs。Eddybeingwhatshewas——therestofthedevelopment——stageswouldfollownaturallyandinevitably。
Butifshehadbeenanybodyelse,therewouldhavebeenadifferentarrangementofthem,withdifferentresults。Beingtheextraordinarypersonshewas,sherealizedherpositionanditspossibilities;realizedthepossibilities,andhadthedaringtousethemforalltheywereworth。
Wehaveseenwhathermethodswereaftershepassedthestagewhereherdivineambassadorshipwasgranteditsexecuterintheheartsandmindsofherfollowers;wehaveseenhowsteadyandfearlessandcalculatedandorderlywashermarchthenceforthfromconquesttoconquest;wehaveseenherstrikedead,withouthesitancy,anyhostileorquestionableforcethatroseinherpath:first,thehordeofpretendersthatsprangupandtriedtotakeherScienceanditsmarketawayfromher——shecrushedthem,sheobliteratedthem;whenherownNationalChristianScienceAssociationbecamegreatinnumbersandinfluence,andlooselyanddangerouslygarrulous,andbegantoexpoundthedoctrinesaccordingtoitsownuninspirednotions,shetookupherspongewithoutatremoroffearandwipedthatAssociationout;whensheperceivedthatthepreachersinherpulpitswerebecomingafflictedwithdoctrine-tinkering,sherecognizedthedangerofit,anddidnothesitatenortemporize,butpromptlydismissedthewholeoftheminaday,andabolishedtheirofficepermanently;wehaveseenthat,asfastasherpowergrew,shewascompetenttotakethemeasureofit,andthatasfastasitsexpansionsuggestedtohergraduallyawakeningnativeambitionahigherstepshetookit;andso,bythisevolutionaryprocess,wehaveseenthegrossmoney-lustrelegatedtosecondplace,andthelustofempireandgloryriseaboveit。Asplendiddream;andbyforceofthequalitiesborninhersheismakingitcometrue。
Thesequalities——andthecapacitiesgrowingoutofthembythenurturinginfluencesoftraining,observation,andexperienceseemtobeclearlyindicatedbythecharacterofhercareeranditsachievements。Theyseemtobe:
Aclearheadforbusiness,andaphenomenallylongone;
Clearunderstandingofbusinesssituations;
Accuracyinestimatingtheopportunitiestheyoffer;
Intelligenceinplanningabusinessmove;
Firmnessinstickingtoitafterithasbeendecidedupon;
Extraordinarydaring;
Indestructiblepersistency;
Devouringambition;
Limitlessselfishness;
Aknowledgeoftheweaknessesandpovertiesanddocilitiesofhumannatureandhowtoturnthemtoaccountwhichhasneverbeensurpassed,ifeverequalled;
And——necessarily——thefoundation-stoneofMrs。Eddy'scharacterisanever-waveringconfidenceinherself。
Itisagranitecharacter。And——quitenaturally——ameasureofthetalcofsmallnessescommontohumannatureismixedupinitanddistributedthroughit。WhenMrs。EddyisnotdictatingservilitiesfromherthroneinthecloudstoherofficialdomesticsinBostonortoherfar-spreadsubjectsroundabouttheplanet,butisdownontheground,sheiskintousandoneofus:sentimentalasagirl,garrulous,ungrammatical,incomprehensible,affected,vainofherlittlehumanancestry,unstable,inconsistent,unreliableinstatement,andnaivelyandeverlastinglyself-contradictory-oh,trivialandcommonandcommonplaceasthecommonestofus!justaNapoleonasMadamedeRemusatsawhim,abrassgodwithclaylegs。
CHAPTERXIII
IndrawingMrs。Eddy'sportraitithasbeenmypurposetorestrictmyselftomaterialsfurnishedbyherself,andIbelieveIhavedonethat。IfI
havemisinterpretedanyofheracts,itwasnotdoneintentionally。
Itwillbenoticedthatinskeletonizingalistofthequalitieswhichhavecarriedhertothedizzysummitwhichsheoccupies,Ihavenotmentionedthepowerwhichwasthecommandingforceemployedinachievingthatloftyflight。Itdidnotbelonginthatlist;itwasaforcethatwasnotadetailofhercharacter,butwasanoutsideone。Itwasthepowerwhichproceededfromherpeople'srecognitionofherasasupernaturalpersonage,conveyeroftheLatestWord,anddivinelycommissionedtodeliverittotheworld。Theformwhichsucharecognitiontakes,consciouslyorunconsciously,isworship;andworshipdoesnotquestionnorcriticize,itobeys。Theobjectofitdoesnotneedtocoddleit,bribeit,beguileit,reasonwithit,convinceit——itcommandsit;thatissufficient;theobediencerenderedisnotreluctant,butpromptandwhole-hearted。AdmirationforaNapoleon,confidenceinhim,prideinhim,affectionforhim,canlifthimhighandcarryhimfar;andtheseareformsofworship,andarestrongforces,buttheyareworshipofamerehumanbeing,afterall,andareinfinitelyfeeble,ascomparedwiththosethataregeneratedbythatotherworship,theworshipofadivinepersonage。Mrs。Eddyhasthisefficientworship,thismassedandcentralizedforce,thisforcewhichisindifferenttoopposition,untroubledbyfear,andgoestobattlesinging,likeCromwell'ssoldiers;
andwhileshehasitshecancommandanditwillobey,andmaintainheronherthrone,andextendherempire。
Shewillhaveituntilshedies;andthenweshallseeacuriousandinterestingfurtherdevelopmentofherrevolutionaryworkbegin。