CHAPTERXIV
ThePresidentandBoardofDirectorswil1succeedher，andthegovernmentwillgoonwithoutahitch。TheBy-lawswillbearthatinterpretation。
AlltheMother-Church'svastpowersareconcentratedinthatBoard。Mrs。
Eddy'sunlimitedpersonalreservationsmaketheBoard'sostensiblesupremacy，duringherlife，asham，andtheBoarditselfashadow。ButMrs。Eddyhasnotmadethosereservationsforanyonebutherself——theyaredistinctlypersonal，theybearhername，theyarenotusablebyanotherindividual。Whenshediesherreservationsdie，andtheBoard'sshadow-powersbecomerealpowers，withoutthechangeofanyimportantBy-
law，andtheBoardsitsinherplaceasabsoluteandirresponsibleasovereignasshewas。
Itconsistsofbutfivepersons，amuchmoremanageableCardinalatethantheRomanPope's。IthinkitwillelectitsPopefromitsownbody，andthatitwillfillitsownvacancies。AnelectivePapacyisasafeandwisesystem，andalong-liver。
CHAPTERXV
Wemaytakethatupnow。
Itisnotasingleif，butaseveral-jointedone；notanoyster，butavertebrate。
1。DidMrs。EddyborrowfromQuimbytheGreatIdea，oronlythelittleone，theold-timer，theordinarymental-healing-healingby"mortal"mind？
2。IfsheborrowedtheGreatIdea，didshecarryitawayinherhead，orinmanuscript？
3。DidshehitupontheGreatIdeaherself？BytheGreatIdeaImean，ofcourse，theconvictionthattheForceinvolvedwasstillexistent，andcouldbeappliednowjustasitwasappliedbyChrist'sDisciplesandtheirconverts，andassuccessfully。
4。Didshephilosophizeit，systematizeit，andwriteitdowninabook？
5。Wasitshe，andnotanother，thatbuiltanewReligionuponthebookandorganizedit？
IthinkNo。5canbeansweredwithaYes，anddismissedfromthecontroversy。AndIthinkthattheGreatIdea，greatasitwas，wouldhaveenjoyedbutabriefactivity，andwouldthenhavegonetosleepagainforsomemorecenturies，butfortheperpetuatingimpulseitgotfromthatorganizedandtremendousforce。
AsforNos。1，2，and4，thehostilescontendthatMrs。EddygottheGreatIdeafromQuimbyandcarrieditoffinmanuscript。Buttheirtestimony，whileofconsequence，lacksthemostimportantdetail；sofarasmyinformationgoes，theQuimbymanuscripthasnotbeenproduced。I
thinkwecannotdiscussNo。1andNo。2profitably。Letthemgo。
Forme，No。3hasamildinterest，andNo。4aviolentone。
AsregardsNo。3，Mrs。Eddywasbroughtup，fromthecradle，anold-
time，boiler-iron，Westminster-CatechismChristian，andknewherBibleaswellasCaptainKyddknewhis，"whenhesailed，whenhesailed，"andperhapsassympathetically。TheGreatIdeahadstruckamillionBible-
readersbeforeherasbeingpossibleofresurrectionandapplication——itmusthavestruckasmanyasthat，andbeencogitated，indolently，doubtingly，thendroppedandforgotten——anditcouldhavestruckher，induecourse。Buthowitcouldinteresther，howitcouldappealtoher——
withhermakethisathingthatisdifficulttounderstand。
Forthethingbackofitiswhollygraciousandbeautiful：thepower，throughlovingmercifulnessandcompassion，tohealfleshlyillsandpainsandgrief——all——withaword，withatouchofthehand！ThispowerwasgivenbytheSaviourtotheDisciples，andtoalltheconverted。
All——everyone。Itwasexercisedforgenerationsafterwards。AnyChristianwhowasinearnestandnotamake-believe，notapolicy——
Christian，notaChristianforrevenueonly，hadthathealingpower，andcouldcurewithitanydiseaseoranyhurtordamagepossibletohumanfleshandbone。Thesethingsaretrue，ortheyarenot。IftheyweretrueseventeenandeighteenandnineteencenturiesagoitwouldbedifficulttosatisfactorilyexplainwhyorhoworbywhatargumentthatpowershouldbenonexistentinChristiansnow。
TowishtoexerciseitcouldoccurtoMrs。Eddy——butwouldit？
Grasping，sordid，penurious，famishingforeverythingshesees——money，power，glory——vain，untruthful，jealous，despotic，arrogant，insolent，pitilesswherethinkersandhypnotistsareconcerned，illiterate，shallow，incapableofreasoningoutsideofcommerciallines，immeasurablyselfish——
OfcoursetheGreatIdeacouldstrikeher，wehavetograntthat，butwhyitshouldinterestherisaquestionwhichcaneasilyoverstraintheimaginationandbringonnervousprostration，orsomethinglikethat，andisbetterleftalonebythejudicious，itseemstome——
UnlesswecalltoourhelptheallegedothersideofMrs。Eddy'smakeandcharacterthesidewhichhermultitudeoffollowerssee，andsincerelybelievein。Fairnessrequiresthattheirviewbestatedhere。ItistheoppositeoftheonewhichIhavedrawnfromMrs。Eddy'shistoryandfromherBy-laws。Toherfollowerssheisthis：
Patient，gentle，loving，compassionate，noblehearted，unselfish，sinless，widelycultured，splendidlyequippedmentally，aprofoundthinker，anablewriter，adivinepersonage，aninspiredmessengerwhoseactsaredictatedfromtheThrone，andwhoseeveryutteranceistheVoiceofGod。
Shehasdeliveredtothemareligionwhichhasrevolutionizedtheirlives，banishedthegloomsthatshadowedthem，andfilledthemandfloodedthemwithsunshineandgladnessandpeace；areligionwhichhasnohell；areligionwhoseheavenisnotputofftoanothertime，withabreakandagulfbetween，butbeginshereandnow，andmeltsintoeternityasfanciesofthewakingdaymeltintothedreamsofsleep。
TheybelieveitisaChristianitythatisintheNewTestament；thatithasalwaysbeenthere，thatinthedriftofagesitwaslostthroughdisuseandneglect，andthatthisbenefactorhasfounditandgivenitbacktomen，turningthenightoflifeintoday，itsterrorsintomyths，itslamentationsintosongsofemancipationandrejoicing。
TherewehaveMrs。Eddyasherfollowersseeher。Shehasliftedthemoutofgriefandcareanddoubtandfear，andmadetheirlivesbeautiful；
shefoundthemwanderingforlorninawintrywilderness，andhasledthemtoatropicparadiselikethatofwhichthepoetsings：
"O，islandsthereareonthefaceofthedeepWheretheleavesneverfadeandtheskiesneverweep。"
Toaskthemtoexaminewithamicroscopethecharacterofsuchabenefactor；toaskthemtoexamineitatall；toaskthemtolookatablemishwhichanotherpersonbelieveshehasfoundinit——well，intheirplacecouldyoudoit？Wouldyoudoit？Wouldn'tyoubeashamedtodoit？Ifatramphadrescuedyourchildfromfireanddeath，andsaveditsmother'sheartfrombreaking，couldyouseehisrags？Couldyousmellhisbreath？Mrs。Eddyhasdonemorethanthatforthesepeople。
Theyareprejudicedwitnesses。Tothecreditofhumannatureitisnotpossiblethattheyshouldbeotherwise。TheysincerelybelievethatMrs。
Eddy'scharacterispureandperfectandbeautiful，andherhistorywithoutstainorblotorblemish。Butthatdoesnotsettleit。TheysincerelybelieveshedidnotborrowtheGreatIdeafromQuimby，buthituponitherself。Itmaybeso，anditcouldbeso。Letitgo——thereisnowaytosettleit。TheybelieveshecarriedawaynoQuimbymanuscripts。Letthatgo，too——thereisnowaytosettleit。Theybelievethatshe，andnotanother，builttheReligionuponthebook，andorganizedit。Ibelieveit，too。
Finally，theybelievethatshephilosophizedChristianScience，explainedit，systematizedit，andwroteitalloutwithherownhandinthebookScienceandHealth。
Iamnotabletobelievethat。Letusdrawthelinethere。Theknownandundisputedproductsofherpenareaformidablewitnessagainsther。
Theydoseemtometoprove，quiteclearlyandconclusively，thatwriting，uponevensimplesubjects，isadifficultlaborforher：thatshehasneverbeenabletowriteanythingabovethird-rateEnglish；thatsheisweakinthematterofgrammar；thatshehasbutarudeanddullsenseofthevaluesofwords；thatshesolacksinthematterofliteraryprecisionthatshecanseldomputathoughtintowordsthatexpressitlucidlytothereaderandleavenodoubtsinhismindastowhetherhehasrightlyunderstoodornot；thatshecannotevendraughtaPrefacethatapersoncanfullycomprehend，noronewhichcanbyanyartbetranslatedintoafullyunderstandableform；thatshecanseldominjectintoaPrefaceevensinglesentenceswhosemeaningisuncompromisinglyclear——yetPrefacesareherspecialty，ifshehasone。
Mrs。Eddy'sknownandundisputedwritingsareverylimitedinbulk；theyexhibitnodepth，noanalyticalquality，nothoughtaboveschoolcompositionsize，andbutjuvenileabilityinhandlingthoughtsofeventhatmodestmagnitude。Shehasafinecommercialability，andcouldgovernavastrailwaysystemingreatstyle；shecoulddraughtasetofrulesthatSatanhimselfwouldsaycouldnotbeimprovedon——fordevilisheffectiveness——byhisstaff；butweknow，byourexcursionsamongtheMother-Church'sBy-laws，thattheirEnglishwoulddiscreditthedeputybaggage-smasher。IamquitesurethatMrs。Eddycannotwritewelluponanysubject，evenacommercialone。
IntheveryfirstrevisionofScienceandHealth（1883），Mrs。EddywroteaPrefacewhichisanunimpeachablewitnessthattherestofthebookwaswrittenbysomebodyelse。IhaveputitintheAppendixalongwithapageortwotakenfromthebodyofthebook，andwillaskthereadertocomparethelaboredandlumberingandconfusedgropingsofthisPrefacewiththeeasyandflowinganddirectEnglishoftheotherexhibit，andseeifhecanbelievethattheonehandandbrainproducedboth。
AndlethimtakethePrefaceapart，sentencebysentence，andsearchinglyexamineeachsentencewordbyword，andseeifhecanfindhalfadozensentenceswhosemeaningsheissosureofthathecanrephrasethem——inwordsofhisown——andreproducewhathetakestobethosemeanings。
Moneycanbelostonthisgame。Iknow，forIamtheonethatlostit。
NowletthereaderturntotheexcerptwhichIhavemadefromthechapteron"Prayer"（lastyear'seditionofScienceandHealth），andcomparethatwiseandsaneandelevatedandlucidandcompactpieceofworkwiththeaforesaidPreface，andwithMrs。Eddy'spoetryconcerningthegymnastictrees，andMinerva'snotyeteffetesandals，andthewreathsimportedfromErudition'sbowerforthedecorationofPlymouthRock，andthePlague-spotandBacilli，andmyotherexhibits（turnbacktomyChaptersI。andII。）fromtheAutobiography，andfinallywiththelateCommunicationconcerningme，andseeifhethinksanybody'saffirmation，oranybody'ssworntestimony，oranyothertestimonyofanyimaginablekindwouldeverbelikelytoconvincehimthatMrs。EddywrotethatchapteronPrayer。
Idonotwishtoimposemyopiniononanyonewhowillnotpermitit，butsuchasitisIofferithereforwhatitisworth。Icannotbelieve，andIdonotbelieve，thatMrs。EddyoriginatedanyofthethoughtsandreasoningsoutofwhichthebookScienceandHealthisconstructed；andI
cannotbelieve，anddonotbelievethatsheeverwroteanypartofthatbook。
Ithinkthatifanythingintheworldstandsproven，andwellandsolidlyproven，byunimpeachabletestimony——thetreacheroustestimonyofherownpeninherknownandundisputedliteraryproductions——itisthatMrs。
Eddyisnotcapableofthinkinguponhighplanes，norofreasoningclearlynorwritingintelligentlyuponlowones。
Inasmuchas——inmybelief——theveryfirsteditionsofthebookScienceandHealthwerefarabovethereachofMrs。Eddy'smentalandliteraryabilities，Ithinkshehasfromtheverybeginningbeenclaimingasherownanotherperson'sbook，andwearingasherownpropertylaurelsrightfullybelongingtothatperson——therealauthorofScienceandHealth。AndIthinkthereason——andtheonlyreason——thathehasnotprotestedisbecausehisworkwasnotexposedtoprintuntilafterhewassafelydead。
Thatwithaneyetobusiness，andbygraceofherbusinesstalent，shehasrestoredtotheworldneglectedandabandonedfeaturesoftheChristianreligionwhichherthousandsoffollowersfindgraciousandblessedandcontenting，Irecognizeandconfess；butIamconvincedthateverysingledetailoftheworkexceptjustthatone——thedeliveryoftheProducttotheworld——wasconceivedandperformedbyanother。
APPENDIXA
ORIGINALFIRSTPREFACETOSCIENCEANDHEALTH
ThereseemsaChristiannecessityoflearningGod'spowerandpurposetohealbothmindandbody。ThisthoughtgrewoutofourearlyseekingHiminallourways，andahopelessassingularinvalidismthatdrugsincreasedinsteadofdiminished，andhygienebenefitedonlyforaseason。
Bydegreeswehavedriftedintomorespirituallatitudesofthought，andexperimentedasweadvanceduntildemonstratingfullythepowerofmindoverthebody。Abouttheyear1862，havingheardofamesmeristinPortlandwhowastreatingthesickbymanipulation，wevisitedhim；hehelpedusforatime，thenwerelapsedsomewhat。Afterhisdecease，andaseverecasualtydeemedfatalbyskilfulphysicians，wediscoveredthatthePrincipleofallhealingandthelawthatgovernsitisGod，adivinePrinciple，andaspiritualnotmateriallaw，andregainedhealth。
Itwasnotanindividualormortalmindactinguponanotherso-calledmindthathealedus。ItwastheglorioustruthsofChristianSciencethatwediscoveredaswenearedthatvergeofso-calledmateriallifenameddeath；yea，itwasthegreatShekinah，thespiritofLife，Truth，andLoveilluminatingourunderstandingoftheactionandmightofOmnipotence！Theoldgentlemantowhomwehavereferredhadsomeveryadvancedviewsonhealing，buthewasnotavowedlyreligiousneitherscholarly。Weinterchangedthoughtsonthesubjectofhealingthesick。
Irestoredsomepatientsofhisthathefailedtoheal，andleftinhispossessionsomemanuscriptsofminecontainingcorrectionsofhisdesultorypennings，whichIaminformedathisdeceasepassedintothehandsofapatientofhis，nowresidinginScotland。Hediedin1865andleftnopublishedworks。Theonlymanuscriptthatweeverheldofhis，longerthantocorrectit，wasoneofperhapsadozenpages，mostofwhichwehadcomposed。Hemanipulatedthesick；hencehisostensiblemethodofhealingwasphysicalinsteadofmental。
Wehelpedhimintheesteemofthepublicbyourwritings，butneverknewofhisstatingorallyorinwritingthathetreatedhispatientsmentally；neverheardhimgiveanydirectionstothateffect；andhaveitfromoneofhispatients，whonowassertsthathewasthefounderofmentalhealing，thatheneverrevealedtoanyonehismethod。Werefertothesefactssimplytorefutethecalumniesandfalseclaimsofourenemies，thatwearepreferringdishonestclaimstothediscoveryandfoundingatthisperiodofMetaphysicalHealingorChristianScience。
TheScienceandlawsofapurelymentalhealingandtheirmethodofapplicationthroughspiritualpoweralone，elseamentalargumentagainstdisease，areourowndiscoveryatthisdate。True，thePrincipleisdivineandeternal，buttheapplicationofittohealthesickhadbeenlostsightof，andrequiredtobeagainspirituallydiscernedanditssciencediscovered，thatmanmightretainitthroughtheunderstanding。
Sinceourdiscoveryin1866ofthedivinescienceofChristianHealing，wehavelaboredwithtongueandpentofoundthissystem。Inthisendeavoreveryobstaclehasbeenthrowninourpaththattheenvyandrevengeofafewdisaffectedstudentscoulddevise。Thesuperstitionandignoranceofeventhisperiodhavenotfailedtocontributetheirmitetowardsmisjudgingus，whileitsChristianadvancementandscientificresearchhavehelpedsustainourfeebleefforts。
SinceourfirstEditionofScienceandHealth，publishedin1875，twooftheaforesaidstudentshaveplagiarizedandpiratedourworks。IntheissuesofE。J。A。，almostexclusivelyours，werethirteenparagraphs，withoutcredit，takenverbatimfromourbooks。
Notoneofourprintedworkswasevercopiedorabstractedfromthepublishedorfromtheunpublishedwritingsofanyone。ThroughoutourpublicationsofMetaphysicalHealingorChristianScience，whenwritingordictatingthem，wehavegivenourselvestocontemplationwhollyapartfromtheobservationofthematerialsenses：tolookuponacopywouldhavedistractedourthoughtsfromthesubjectbeforeus。Wewereseldomabletocopyourowncompositions，andhaveemployedanamanuensisforthelastsixyears。Everyworkthatwehavehadpublishedhasbeenextemporaneouslywritten；andoutoffiftylecturesandsermonsthatwehavedeliveredthelastyear，forty-fourhavebeenextemporaneous。Wehavedistributedmanyofourunpublishedmanuscripts；loanedtooneofouryoungeststudents，R。Kc……y，betweenthreeandfourhundredpages，ofwhichweweresoleauthor——givinghimlibertytocopybutnottopublishthem。
LeaningonthesustainingInfinitewithlovingtrust，thetrialsofto-
daygrowbrief，andto-morrowisbigwithblessings。
Thewakefulshepherd，tendinghisflocks，beholdsfromthemountain'stopthefirstfaintmorningbeamerecomeththerisenday。SofromSoul'sloftiersummitsshinesthepalestartoprophet-shepherd，andittraversesnight，overtowheretheyoungchildlies，incradledobscurity，thatshallwakenaworld。OverthenightoferrordawnthemorningbeamsandguidingstarofTruth，and"thewisemen"areledbyittoScience，whichrepeatstheeternalharmonythatitreproduced，inproofofimmortality。Thetimeforthinkershascome；andthetimeforrevolutions，ecclesiasticalandcivil，mustcome。Truth，independentofdoctrinesortime-honoredsystems，standsatthethresholdofhistory。
Contentmentwiththepast，orthecoldconventionalityofcustom，maynolongershutthedooronscience；thoughempiresfall，"Hewhoserightitisshallreign。"IgnoranceofGodshouldnolongerbethestepping-stonetofaith；understandingHim，"whomtoknowarightisLifeeternal，"istheonlyguarantyofobedience。
Thisvolumemaynotopenanewthought，andmakeitatoncefamiliar。Ithasthesturdytaskofapioneer，tohackawayatthetalloaksandcuttheroughgranite，leavingfutureagestodeclarewhatithasdone。Wemadeourfirstdiscoveryoftheadaptationofmetaphysicstothetreatmentofdiseaseinthewinterof1866；sincethenwehavetestedthePrincipleonourselvesandothers，andneverfoundittofailtoprovethestatementshereinmadeofit。WemustlearnthescienceofLife，toreachtheperfectionofman。TounderstandGodasthePrincipleofallbeing，andtoliveinaccordancewiththisPrinciple，istheScienceofLife。Buttoreproducethisharmonyofbeing，theerrorofpersonalsensemustyieldtoscience，evenasthescienceofmusiccorrectstonescaughtfromtheear，andgivesthesweetconcordofsound。Therearemanytheoriesofphysicandtheology，andmanycallsineachoftheirdirectionsfortherightway；butweproposetosettlethequestionof"WhatisTruth？"onthegroundofproof，andletthatmethodofhealingthesickandestablishingChristianitybeadoptedthatisfoundtogivethemosthealthandtomakethebestChristians；sciencewillthenhaveafairfield，inwhichcaseweareassuredofitstriumphoverallopinionsandbeliefs。Sicknessandsinhaveeverhadtheirdoctors；butthequestionis，Havetheybecomelessbecauseofthem？Thelongevityofourantediluvianswouldsay，No！andthecriminalrecordsoftodayuttertheirvoiceslittleinfavorofsuchaconclusion。NotthatwewoulddenytoCaesarthethingsthatarehis，butthatweaskforthethingsthatbelongtoTruth；andsafelyaffirm，fromthedemonstrationswehavebeenabletomake，thatthescienceofmanunderstoodwouldhaveeradicatedsin，sickness，anddeath，inalessperiodthansixthousandyears。Wefindgreatdifficultiesinstartingthisworkright。Someshockinglyfalseclaimsarealreadymadetoametaphysicalpractice；
mesmerism，itsveryantipodes，isoneofthem。Hithertowehavenever，inasingleinstanceofourdiscovery，foundtheslightestresemblancebetweenmesmerismandmetaphysics。Noespecialidiosyncrasyisrequisitetoacquireaknowledgeofmetaphysicalhealing；spiritualsenseismoreimportanttoitsdiscernmentthantheintellect；andthosewhowouldlearnthissciencewithoutahighmoralstandardofthoughtandaction，willfailtounderstandituntiltheygouphigher。Owingtoourexplanationsconstantlyvibratingbetweenthesamepoints，anirksomerepetitionofwordsmustoccur；alsotheuseofcapitalletters，genders，andtechnicalitiespeculiartothescience。Varietyoflanguage，orbeautyofdiction，mustgiveplacetocloseanalysisandunembellishedthought。"Hopingallthings，enduringallthings，"todogoodtoourenemies，toblessthemthatcurseus，andtobeartothesorrowingandthesickconsolationandhealing，wecommitthesepagestoposterity。
MARYBAKERG。EDDY。
APPENDIXB
TheGospelnarrativesbearbrieftestimonyeventothelifeofourgreatMaster。Hisspiritualnoumenonandphenomenon，silencedportraiture。
Writers，lesswisethantheApostles，essayedintheApocryphalNewTestament，alegendaryandtraditionalhistoryoftheearlylifeofJesus。ButSaintPaulsummarizedthecharacterofJesusasthemodelofChristianity，inthesewords："ConsiderHimwhoenduredsuchcontradictionsofsinnersagainstHimself。WhoforthejoythatwassetbeforeHim，enduredthecross，despisingtheshame，andissetdownattherighthandofthethroneofGod。"
Itmaybethatthemortallifebattlestillwages，andmustcontinuetillitsinvolvederrorsarevanquishedbyvictory-bringingScience；butthistriumphwillcome！Godisoverall。Healoneisourorigin，aim，andBeing。Therealmanisnotofthedust，norisheevercreatedthroughtheflesh；forhisfatherandmotheraretheoneSpirit，andhisbrethrenareallthechildrenofoneparent，theeternalGood。
AnykindofliterarycompositionwasexcessivelydifficultforMrs。Eddy。
Shefounditgrindinghardworktodigoutanythingtosay。Sherealized，attheabovestageinherlife，thatwithallhertroubleshehadnotbeenabletoscratchtogetherevenmaterialenoughforachild'sAutobiography，andalsothatwhatshehadsecuredwasinthemainnotvaluable，notimportant，consideringtheageandthefameofthepersonshewaswritingabout；andsoitoccurredtohertoattempt，inthatparagraph，toexcusethemeagrenessandpoorqualityofthefeastshewasspreading，bylettingonthatshecoulddoeversomuchbetterifshewantedto，butwasunderconstraintofDivineetiquette。TofeedwithmorethanafewindifferentcrumbsaplebeianappetiteforpersonaldetailsaboutPersonagesinherclasswasnotthecorrectthing，andsheblandlypointsoutthatthereisPrecedentforthisreserve。WhenMrs。
Eddytriestobeartful——inliterature——itisgenerallyafterthemanneroftheostrich；andwiththeostrich'sluck。Pleasetrytofindtheconnectionbetweenthetwoparagraphs。——M。T。
APPENDIXC
ThefollowingisthespiritualsignificationoftheLord'sPrayer：
Principle，eternalandharmonious，NamelessandadorableIntelligence，Thouarteverpresentandsupreme。
AndwhenthissupremacyofSpiritshallappear，thedreamofmatterwilldisappear。
GiveustheunderstandingofTruthandLove。
AndlovingweshalllearnGod，andTruthwilldestroyallerror。
AndleadusuntotheLifethatisSoul，anddeliverusfromtheerrorsofsense，sin，sickness，anddeath，ForGodisLife，Truth，andLoveforever。
——ScienceandHealth，editionof1881。
Itseemstomethatthisoneisdistinctlysuperiortotheonethatwasinspiredforlastyear'sedition。Itisstrange，buttomymindplain，thatinspiringisanartwhichdoesnotimprovewithpractice。——M。T。
APPENDIXD
"ForverilyIsayuntoyou，Thatwhosoevershallsayuntothismountain，Bethouremoved，andbethoucastintothesea；andshallnotdoubtinhisheart，butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass；heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith。ThereforeIsayuntoyou，Whatthingssoeveryedesirewhenyepray，believethatyereceivethem，andyeshallhavethem。
YourFatherknowethwhatthingsyehaveneedof，beforeyeaskHim。"
——CHRISTJESUS。
Theprayerthatreclaimsthesinnerandhealsthesick，isanabsolutefaiththatallthingsarepossibletoGod——aspiritualunderstandingofHim——anunselfedlove。Regardlessofwhatanothermaysayorthinkonthissubject，Ispeakfromexperience。Thisprayer，combinedwithself-
sacrificeandtoil，isthemeanswherebyGodhasenabledmetodowhatI
havedoneforthereligionandhealthofmankind。
ThoughtsunspokenarenotunknowntothedivineMind。Desireisprayer；
andnolesscanoccurfromtrustingGodwithourdesires，thattheymaybemouldedandexaltedbeforetheytakeforminaudibleword，andindeeds。
Whatarethemotivesforprayer？Dowepraytomakeourselvesbetter，ortobenefitthosethathearus；toenlightentheInfinite，ortobeheardofmen？Arewebenefitedbypraying？Yes，thedesirewhichgoesforthhungeringafterrighteousnessisblessedofourFather，anditdoesnotreturnuntousvoid。
GodisnotmovedbythebreathofpraisetodomorethanHehasalreadydone；norcantheInfinitedolessthanbestowallgood，sinceHeisunchangingWisdomandLove。Wecandomoreforourselvesbyhumbleferventpetitions；buttheAll-lovingdoesnotgrantthemsimplyonthegroundoflip-service，forHealreadyknowsall。
PrayercannotchangetheScienceofBeing，butitdoesbringusintoharmonywithit。GoodnessreachesthedemonstrationofTruth。Arequestthatanothermayworkforusneverdoesourwork。ThehabitofpleadingwiththedivineMind，asonepleadswithahumanbeing，perpetuatesthebeliefinGodashumanlycircumscribed——anerrorwhichimpedesspiritualgrowth。
GodisLove。CanweaskHimtobemore？GodisIntelligence。CanweinformtheinfiniteMind，ortellHimanythingHedoesnotalreadycomprehend？Dowehopetochangeperfection？Shallwepleadformoreattheopenfount，whichalwayspoursforthmorethanwereceive？TheunspokenprayerdoesbringusnearertheSourceofallexistenceandblessedness。
AskingGodtobeGodisa"vainrepetition。"Godis"thesameyesterday，andto-day，andforever"；andHewhoisimmutablyrightwilldoright，withoutbeingremindedofHisprovince。ThewisdomofmanisnotsufficienttowarranthiminadvisingGod。
Whowouldstandbeforeablackboard，andpraytheprincipleofmathematicstoworkouttheproblem？Theruleisalreadyestablished，anditisourtasktoworkoutthesolution。ShallweaskthedivinePrincipleofallgoodnesstodoHisownwork？Hisworkisdone；andwehaveonlytoavailourselvesofGod'srule，inordertoreceivetheblessingthereof。
ThedivineBeingmustbereflectedbyman——elsemanisnottheimageandlikenessofthepatient，tender，andtrue，theone"altogetherlovely"；
buttounderstandGodistheworkofeternity，anddemandsabsoluteconcentrationofthoughtandenergy。
HowemptyareourconceptionsofDeity！WeadmittheoreticallythatGodisgood，omnipotent，omnipresent，infinite，andthenwetrytogiveinformationtothisinfiniteMind；andpleadforunmeritedpardon，andaliberaloutpouringofbenefactions。Arewereallygratefulforthegoodalreadyreceived？Thenweshallavailourselvesoftheblessingswehave，andthusbefittedtoreceivemore。GratitudeismuchmorethanaverbalexpressionofthanksActionexpressesmoregratitudethanspeech。
IfweareungratefulforLife，Truth，andLove，andyetreturnthankstoGodforallblessings，weareinsincere；andincurthesharpcensureourMasterpronouncesonhypocrites。Insuchacasetheonlyacceptableprayeristoputthefingeronthelipsandrememberourblessings。
WhiletheheartisfarfromdivineTruthandLove，wecannotconcealtheingratitudeofbarrenlives，forGodknowethallthings。
Whatwemostneedistheprayerofferventdesireforgrowthingrace，expressedinpatience，meekness，love，andgooddeeds。TokeepthecommandmentsofourMasterandfollowhisexample，isourproperdebttoHim，andtheonlyworthyevidenceofourgratitudeforallHehasdone。
Outwardworshipisnotofitselfsufficienttoexpressloyalandheartfeltgratitude，sinceHehassaid："IfyeloveMe，keepMyCommandments。"
Thehabitualstruggletobealwaysgood，isunceasingprayer。Itsmotivesaremademanifestintheblessingstheybring——which，ifnotacknowledgedinaudiblewords，attestourworthinesstobemadepartakersofLove。
SimplyaskingthatwemayloveGodwillnevermakeusloveHim；butthelongingtobebetterandholier——expressedindailywatchfulness，andinstrivingtoassimilatemoreofthedivinecharacter——thiswillmouldandfashionusanew，untilweawakeinHislikeness。WereachtheScienceofChristianitythroughdemonstrationofthedivinenature；butinthiswickedworldgoodnesswill"beevilspokenof，"andpatiencemustworkexperience。
Audibleprayercanneverdotheworksofspiritualunderstanding，whichregenerates；butsilentprayer，watchfulness，anddevoutobedience，enableustofollowJesus'example。Longprayers，ecclesiasticism，andcreeds，haveclippedthedivinepinionsofLove，andcladreligioninhumanrobes。Theymaterializeworship，hindertheSpirit，andkeepmanfromdemonstratinghispowerovererror。
Sorrowforwrong-doingisbutonesteptowardsreform，andtheveryeasieststep。ThenextandgreatsteprequiredbyWisdomisthetestofoursincerity——namely，reformation。Tothisendweareplacedunderthestressofcircumstances。Temptationbidsusrepeattheoffence，andwoecomesinreturnforwhatisdone。Soitwilleverbe，tillwelearnthatthereisnodiscountinthelawofjustice，andthatwemustpay"theuttermostfarthing。"Themeasureyemete"shallbemeasuredtoyouagain，"anditwillbefull"andrunningover。"
Saintsandsinnersgettheirfullaward，butnotalwaysinthisworld。
ThefollowersofChristdrankHiscup。Ingratitudeandpersecutionfilledittothebrim；butGodpourstherichesofHisloveintotheunderstandingandaffections，givingusstrengthaccordingtoourday。
Sinnersflourish"likeagreenbay-tree"；but，lookingfarther，thePsalmistcouldseetheirend——namely，thedestructionofsinthroughsuffering。
Prayerissometimesused，asaconfessionaltocancelsin。Thiserrorimpedestruereligion。Sinisforgiven，onlyasitisdestroyedbyChrist-TruthandLifeIfprayernourishesthebeliefthatsiniscancelled，andthatmanismadebetterbymerelypraying，itisanevil。
Hegrowsworsewhocontinuesinsinbecausehethinkshimselfforgiven。
AnapostlesaysthattheSonofGod（Christ）cameto"destroytheworksofthedevil。"WeshouldfollowourdivineExemplar，andseekthedestructionofallevilworks，erroranddiseaseincluded。Wecannotescapethepenaltydueforsin。TheScripturessay，thatifwedenyChrist，"Healsowilldenyus。"
ThedivineLovecorrectsandgovernsman。Menmaypardon，butthisdivinePrinciplealonereformsthesinner。GodisnotseparatefromthewisdomHebestows。ThetalentsHegiveswemustimprove。CallingonHimtoforgiveourwork，badlydoneorleftundone，impliesthevainsuppositionthatwehavenothingtodobuttoaskpardon，andthatafterwardsweshallbefreetorepeattheoffence。
Tocausesuffering，astheresultofsin，isthemeansofdestroyingsin。
Everysupposedpleasureinsinwillfurnishmorethanitsequivalentofpain，untilbeliefinmateriallifeandsinisdestroyed。Toreachheaven，theharmonyofBeing，wemustunderstandthedivinePrincipleofBeing。
"GodisLove。"Morethanthiswecannotask；higherwecannotlook；
fartherwecannotgo。TosupposethatGodforgivesorpunishessin，accordingasHismercyissoughtorunsought，istomisunderstandLoveandmakeprayerthesafety-valveforwrong-doing。
JesusuncoveredandrebukedsinbeforeHecastitout。OfasickwomanHesaidthatSatanhadboundher；andtoPeterHesaid，"Thouartanoffenseuntome。"Hecameteachingandshowingmenhowtodestroysin，sickness，anddeath。Hesaidofthefruitlesstree，"Itishewndown。"
Itisbelievedbymanythatacertainmagistrate，wholivedinthetimeofJesus，leftthisrecord："Hisrebukeisfearful。"ThestronglanguageofourMasterconfirmsthisdescription。
TheonlycivilsentencewhichHehadforerrorwas，"GettheebehindMe，Satan。"StillstrongerevidencethatJesus'reproofwaspointedandpungentisinHisownwords——showingthenecessityforsuchforcibleutterance，whenHecastoutdevilsandhealedthesickandsinful。Therelinquishmentoferrordeprivesmaterialsenseofitsfalseclaims。
Audibleprayerisimpressive；itgivesmomentarysolemnityandelevationtothought；butdoesitproduceanylastingbenefit？Lookingdeeplyintothesethings，wefindthat"azeal……notaccordingtoknowledge，"
givesoccasionforreactionunfavorabletospiritualgrowth，soberresolve，andwholesomeperceptionofGod'srequirements。ThemotivesforverbalprayermayembracetoomuchloveofapplausetoinduceorencourageChristiansentiment。
Physicalsensation，notSoul，producesmaterialecstasy，andemotions。
Ifspiritualsensealwaysguidedmenatsuchtimes，therewouldgrowoutofthoseecstaticmomentsahigherexperienceandabetterlife，withmoredevoutself-abnegation，andpurity。Aself-satisfiedventilationofferventsentimentsnevermakesaChristian。Godisnotinfluencedbyman。The"divineear"isnotanauditoria！nerve。Itistheall-
hearingandall-knowingMind，towhomeachwantofmanisalwaysknown，andbywhomitwillbesupplied。
Thedangerfromaudibleprayeris，thatitmayleadusintotemptation。
Byitwemaybecomeinvoluntaryhypocrites，utteringdesireswhicharenotreal，andconsolingourselvesinthemidstofsin，withtherecollectionthatwehaveprayedoverit——ormeantoaskforgivenessatsomelaterday。Hypocrisyisfataltoreligion。
Awordyprayermayaffordaquietsenseofself-justification，thoughitmakesthesinnerahypocrite。Weneverneeddespairofanhonestheart，butthereislittlehopeforthosewhoonlycomespasmodicallyfacetofacewiththeirwickedness，andthenseektohideit。Theirprayersareindexeswhichdonotcorrespondwiththeircharacter。Theyholdsecretfellowshipwithsin；andsuchexternalsarespokenofbyJesusas"likeuntowhitedsepulchres……fullofalluncleanness。"
Ifaman，thoughapparentlyferventandprayerful，isimpure，andthereforeinsincere，whatmustbethecommentuponhim？Ifhehadreachedtheloftinessofhisprayer，therewouldbenooccasionforsuchcomment。Ifwefeeltheaspiration，humility，gratitude，andlovewhichourwordsexpress——thisGodaccepts；anditiswisenottotrytodeceiveour。selvesorothers，for"thereisnothingcoveredthatshallnotberevealed。"Professionsandaudibleprayersarelikecharityinonerespect——they"coveramultitudeofsins。"Prayingforhumility，withwhateverfervencyofexpression，doesnotalwaysmeanadesireforit。
Ifweturnawayfromthepoor，wearenotreadytoreceivetherewardofHimwhoblessesthepoor。Weconfesstohavingaverywickedheart，andaskthatitmaybelaidbarebeforeus；butdowenotalreadyknowmoreofthisheartthanwearewillingtohaveourneighborsee？
Weoughttoexamineourselves，andlearnwhatistheaffectionandpurposeoftheheart；forthisalonecanshowuswhatwehonestlyare。
Ifafriendinformsusofafault，dowelistentotherebukepatiently，andcreditwhatissaid？Dowenotrathergivethanksthatweare"notasothermen？"Duringmanyyearstheauthorhasbeenmostgratefulformeritedrebuke。Thestingliesinunmeritedcensure——inthefalsehoodwhichdoesnooneanygood。
Thetestofallprayerliesintheanswertothesequestions：Doweloveourneighborbetterbecauseofthisasking？Dowepursuetheoldselfishness，satisfiedwithhavingprayedforsomethingbetter，thoughwegivenoevidenceofthesincerityofourrequestsbylivingconsistentlywithourprayer？Ifselfishnesshasgivenplacetokindness，weshallregardourneighborunselfishly，andblessthemthatcurseus；butweshallnevermeetthisgreatdutybysimplyaskingthatitmaybedone。
Thereisacrosstobetakenup，beforewecanenjoythefruitionofourhopeandfaith。
Dostthou"lovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart，andwithallthysoul，andwithallthymind？"Thiscommandincludesmuch——eventhesurrenderofallmerelymaterialsensation，affection，andworship。ThisistheE1DoradoofChristianity。ItinvolvestheScienceofLife，andrecognizesonlythedivinecontrolofSpirit，whereinSoulisourmaster，andmaterialsenseandhumanwillhavenoplace。
AreyouwillingtoleaveallforChrist，forTruth，andsobecountedamongsinners？No！Doyoureallydesiretoattainthispoint？No！
Thenwhymakelongprayersaboutit，andasktobeChristians，sinceyoucarenottotreadinthefootstepsofourdearMaster？IfunwillingtofollowHisexample，whereforepraywiththelipsthatyoumaybepartakersofHisnature？Consistentprayeristhedesiretodoright。
Prayermeansthatwedesireto，andwill，walkinthelightsofaraswereceiveit，eventhoughwithbleedingfootsteps，andwaitingpatientlyontheLord，willleaveourrealdesirestoberewardedbyHim。
Theworldmustgrowtothespiritualunderstandingofprayer。IfgoodenoughtoprofitbyJesus'cupofearthlysorrows，Godwillsustainusunderthesesorrows。Untilwearethusdivinelyqualified，andwillingtodrinkHiscup，millionsofvainrepetitionswillneverpourintoprayertheunctionofSpirit，indemonstrationofpower，and"withsignsfollowing。"ChristianSciencerevealsanecessityforovercomingtheworld，thefleshandevil，andthusdestroyingallerror。
Seekingisnotsufficient。Itisstrivingwhichenablesustoenter。
SpiritualattainmentsopenthedoortoahigherunderstandingofthedivineLife。
OneoftheformsofworshipinThibetistocarryapraying-machinethroughthestreets，andstopatthedoorstoearnapennybygrindingoutaprayer；whereascivilizationpaysforclericalprayers，inloftyedifices。Isthedifferenceverygreat，afterall？
Experienceteachesusthatwedonotalwaysreceivetheblessingsweaskforinprayer。
Thereissomemisapprehensionofthesourceandmeansofallgoodnessandblessedness，orweshouldcertainlyreceivewhatweaskfor。TheScripturessay："Yeask，andreceivenot，becauseyeaskamiss，thatyemayconsumeituponyourlusts。"Whatwedesireandaskforitisnotalwaysbestforustoreceive。InthiscaseinfiniteLovewillnotgranttherequest。DoyouaskWisdomtobemercifulandnotpunishsin？Then"yeaskamiss。"Withoutpunishment，sinwouldmultiply。Jesus'prayer，"forgiveusourdebts，"specifiedalsothetermsofforgiveness。WhenforgivingtheadulterouswomanHesaid，"Go，andsinnomore。"
Amagistratesometimesremitsthepenalty，butthismaybenomoralbenefittothecriminal；andatbest，itonlysaveshimfromoneformofpunishment。Themorallaw，whichhastherighttoacquitorcondemn，alwaysdemandsrestitution，beforemortalscan"gouphigher。"Brokenlawbringspenalty，inordertocompelthisprogress。
Merelegalpardon（andthereisnoother，fordivinePrincipleneverpardonsoursinsormistakestilltheyarecorrected）leavestheoffenderfreetorepeattheoffense；if，indeed，hehasnotalreadysufferedsufficientlyfromvicetomakehimturnfromitwithloathing。Truthbestowsnopardonuponerror，butwipesitoutinthemosteffectualmanner。Jesussufferedforoursins，nottoannulthedivinesentenceagainstanindividual'ssin，buttoshowthatsinmustbringinevitablesuffering。
Petitionsonlybringtomortalstheresultsoftheirownfaith。Weknowthatadesireforholinessisrequisiteinordertogainit；butifwedesireholinessaboveallelse，weshallsacrificeeverythingforit。Wemustbewillingtodothis，thatwemaywalksecurelyintheonlypracticalroadtoholiness。PrayeralonecannotchangetheunalterableTruth，orgiveusanunderstandingofit；butprayercoupledwithaferventhabitualdesiretoknowanddothewillofGodwillbringusintoallTruth。Suchadesirehaslittleneedofaudibleexpression。Itisbestexpressedinthoughtandlife。
APPENDIXE
ReverendHeberNewtononChristianScience：
Tobegin，then，atthebeginning，ChristianScienceacceptstheworkofhealingsicknessasanintegralpartofthediscipleshipofJesusChrist。
InChristitfinds，whattheChurchhasalwaysrecognized，theoretically，thoughithaspracticallyignoredthefact——theGreatPhysician。ThatChristhealedthesick，wenoneofusquestion。Itstandsplainlyupontherecord。ThisministryofhealingwastoolargeapartofHisworktobeleftoutfromanypictureofthatlife。SuchservicewasnotanincidentofHiscareer——itwasanessentialelementofthatcareer。ItwasanintegralfactorinHismission。TheEvangelistsleaveusnopossibilityofconfusiononthispoint。Co-equalwithhisworkofinstructionandinspirationwasHisworkofhealing。
TherecordsmakeitequallyclearthattheMasterlaidHischargeuponHisdisciplestodoasHehaddone。"WhenHehadcalleduntoHimHistwelvedisciples，Hegavethempoweroveruncleanspirits，tocastthemout，andtohealallmannerofsicknessandallmannerofdisease。"Insendingthemforth，"Hecommandedthem，saying，……Asyego，preach，saying，Thekingdomofheavenisathand。Healthesick，cleansethelepers，raisethedead，castoutdemons。"
ThatthetwelvedisciplesundertooktodotheMaster'sworkofhealing，andthatthey，intheirmeasure，succeeded，seemsbeyondquestion。TheyfoundinthemselvesthesamepowerthattheMasterfoundinHimself，andtheyuseditasHehadusedHispower。TherecordofTheActsoftheApostles，ifatalltrustworthyhistory，showsthatthey，too，healedthesick。
Beyondthecircleoftheoriginaltwelve，itisequallyclearthattheearlydisciplesbelievedthemselveschargedwiththesamemission，andthattheysoughttofulfilit。TherecordsoftheearlyChurchmakeitindisputablethatpowersofhealingwererecognizedasamongthegiftsoftheSpirit。St。Paul'slettersrenderitcertainthatthesegiftswerenotaprivilegeoftheoriginaltwelve，merely，butthattheyweretheheritageintowhichallthedisciplesentered。
BeyondtheeraoftheprimitiveChurch，throughseveralgenerations，theearlyChristiansfeltthemselvescalledtothesameministryofhealing，andenabledwiththesamesecretofpower。Throughwellnighthreecenturies，thegiftsofhealingappeartohavebeen，moreorless，recognizedandexercisedintheChurch。Throughthosegenerations，however，therewasagradualdisuseofthispower，followinguponafailingrecognitionofitspossession。Thatwhichwasoriginallytherulebecametheexception。Bydegrees，thesenseofauthorityandpowertohealpassedoutfromtheconsciousnessoftheChurch。ItceasedtobeasignoftheindwellingSpirit。Forfifteencenturies，therecognitionofthisauthorityandpowerhasbeenaltogetherexceptional。Hereandthere，throughthehistoryofthesecenturies，therehavebeenthosewhohaveenteredintothisbeliefoftheirownprivilegeandduty，andhaveusedthegiftwhichtheyrecognized。TheChurchhasneverbeenleftwithoutalineofwitnessestothisaspectofthediscipleshipofChrist。
ButshehascometoacceptitasthenormalorderofthingsthatwhatwasoncetheruleintheChristianChurchshouldbenowonlytheexception。
OrthodoxyhasframedatheoryofthewordsofJesustoaccountforthisstrangedepartureofHisChurchfromthem。ItteachesustobelievethatHisexamplewasnotmeanttobefollowed，inthisrespect，byallHisdisciples。ThepowerofhealingwhichwasinHimwasapurelyexceptionalpower。ItwasusedasanevidenceofHisdivinemission。Itwasamiraculousgift。ThegiftofworkingmiracleswasnotbestoweduponHisChurchatlarge。Hisoriginaldisciples，thetwelveapostles，receivedthisgift，asanecessityofthecriticalepochofChristianity——thefoundingoftheChurch。Tracesofthepowerlingeredon，inweakeningactivity，untiltheygraduallyceased，andthenormalconditionoftheChurchwasenteredupon，inwhichmiraclesarenolongerpossible。
Weacceptthis，unconsciously，asthetruestateofthingsinChristianity。Butitisaconceptionwhichwillnotbearamoment'sexamination。ThereisnottheslightestsuggestionuponrecordthatChristsetanylimittothischargewhichHegaveHisdisciples。Onthecontrary，therearenotlackinghintsthatHelookedforthepossessionandexerciseofthispowerwhereverHisspiritbreathedinmen。
EveniftheconcludingparagraphofSt。Mark'sGospelwerealaterappendix，itmaynonethelesshavebeenafaithfulechoofwordsoftheMaster，asitcertainlyisatrustworthyrecordofthebeliefoftheearlyChristiansastothethoughtofJesusconcerningHisfollowers。Inthatinterestingpassage，Jesus，afterHisdeath，appearedtotheeleven，andformallycommissionedthem，again，totakeupHisworkintheworld；
biddingthem，"Goyeintoalltheworldandpreachthegospeltoeverycreature。""Andthesesigns，"Hetellsthem，"shallfollowthemthatbelieve"——nottheapostlesonly，but"themthatbelieve，"withoutlimitoftime；"inMynametheyshallcastoutdevils……theyshalllayhandsonthesickandtheyshallrecover。"Theconcludingdiscoursetothedisciples，recordedintheGospelaccordingtoSt。John，affirmsthesameexpectationonthepartofJesus；emphasizingitinHissolemnway：
"Verily，verily，Isayuntoyou，HethatbelievethonMe，theworksthatIdoshallhedoalso；andgreaterworksthantheseshallhedo。"
APPENDIXF
Fewwilldenythatanintelligenceapartfrommanformedandgovernsthespiritualuniverseandman；andthisintelligenceistheeternalMind，andneithermatternormancreatedthisintelligenceanddivinePrinciple；norcanthisPrincipleproduceaughtunlikeitself。Allthatwetermsin，sickness，anddeathiscomprisedinthebeliefofmatter。
Therealmoftherealisspiritual；theoppositeofSpiritismatter；andtheoppositeoftherealisunrealormaterial。Matterisanerrorofstatement，forthereisnomatter。Thiserrorofpremisesleadstoerrorofconclusionineverystatementofmatterasabasis。Nothingwecansayorbelieveregardingmatteristrue，exceptthatmatterisunreal，simplyabeliefthathasitsbeginningandending。
TheconservativefirmcalledmatterandmindGodneverformed。TheunerringandeternalMinddestroysthisimaginarycopartnership，formedonlytobedissolvedinamannerandataperiodunknown。Thiscopartnershipisobsolete。Placedunderthemicroscopeofmetaphysicsmatterdisappears。Onlybyunderstandingtherearenottwo，matterandmind，isalogicalandcorrectconclusionobtainedbyeitherone。