Chapter IV - Christian Science Versus Spiritualism
Christianity still rejected
98:1
attend a new step in Christianity; but the spiritual recom-
attend a new step in Christianity; but the spiritual recom-
pense of the persecuted is assured in the elevation of ex-
istence above mortal discord and in the gift of divine Love.
Spiritual foreshadowings
98:4
The prophet of to-day beholds in the mental horizon
The prophet of to-day beholds in the mental horizon
the signs of these times, the reappearance of the Chris-
tianity which heals the sick and destroys error,
and no other sign shall be given. Body can-
not be saved except through Mind. The Science of Chris-
tianity is misinterpreted by a material age, for it is the
healing influence of Spirit (not spirits) which the material
senses cannot comprehend, which can only be spiritu-
ally discerned. Creeds, doctrines, and human hypotheses
do not express Christian Science; much less can they
demonstrate it.
Revelation of Science
98:15
Beyond the frail premises of human beliefs, above the
Beyond the frail premises of human beliefs, above the
loosening grasp of creeds, the demonstration of Christian
Mind-healing stands a revealed and practical
Science. It is imperious throughout all ages
as Christ's revelation of Truth, of Life, and of Love, which
remains inviolate for every man to understand and to
practise.
Science as foreign to all religion
98:22
For centuries – yea, always – natural science has not
For centuries – yea, always – natural science has not
been considered a part of any religion, Christianity not
excepted. Even now multitudes consider that
which they call science has no proper con-
nection with faith and piety. Mystery does
not enshroud Christ's teachings, and they are not theo-
retical and fragmentary, but practical and complete; and
being practical and complete, they are not deprived of
their essential vitality.
Key to the kingdom
98:31
The way through which immortality and life are learned
The way through which immortality and life are learned
is not ecclesiastical but Christian, not human but divine,
99:1
not physical but metaphysical, not material but scien-
not physical but metaphysical, not material but scien-
tifically spiritual. Human philosophy, ethics, and super-
stition afford no demonstrable divine Principle
by which mortals can escape from sin; yet
to escape from sin, is what the Bible demands. "Work
out your own salvation with fear and trembling," says
the apostle, and he straightway adds: "for it is God
which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good
pleasure" (Philippians ii. 12, 13). Truth has furnished
the key to the kingdom, and with this key Christian Sci-
ence has opened the door of the human understanding.
None may pick the lock nor enter by some other door.
The ordinary teachings are material and not spiritual.
Christian Science teaches only that which is spiritual and
divine, and not human. Christian Science is unerring
and Divine; the human sense of things errs because it
is human.
99:18
Those individuals, who adopt theosophy, spiritualism,
Those individuals, who adopt theosophy, spiritualism,
or hypnotism, may possess natures above some others
who eschew their false beliefs. Therefore my contest is
not with the individual, but with the false system. I
love mankind, and shall continue to labor and to endure.
99:23
The calm, strong currents of true spirituality, the
The calm, strong currents of true spirituality, the
manifestations of which are health, purity, and self‑
immolation, must deepen human experience, until the
beliefs of material existence are seen to be a bald imposi-
tion, and sin, disease, and death give everlasting place
to the scientific demonstration of divine Spirit and to
God's spiritual, perfect man.
Chapter V
Animal Magnetism Unmasked
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, forni-
cations, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which
defile a man. – JESUS.
Earliest investigations
100:1
MESMERISM or animal magnetism was first brought
MESMERISM or animal magnetism was first brought
into notice by Mesmer in Germany in 1775. Ac-
cording to the American Cyclopaedia, he regarded this
so-called force, which he said could be ex-
erted by one living organism over another, as
a means of alleviating disease. His propositions were
as follows:
100:8
"There exists a mutual influence between the celestial
"There exists a mutual influence between the celestial
bodies, the earth, and animated things. Animal bodies
are susceptible to the influence of this agent, disseminat-
ing itself through the substance of the nerves."
In 1784, the French government ordered the medical
faculty of Paris to investigate Mesmer's theory and to
report upon it. Under this order a commission was
appointed, and Benjamin Franklin was one of the com-
missioners. This commission reported to the govern-
ment as follows:
100:18
"In regard to the existence and utility of animal mag-
"In regard to the existence and utility of animal mag-
netism, we have come to the unanimous conclusions that
there is no proof of the existence of the animal magnetic
101:1
fluid; that the violent effects, which are observed in
fluid; that the violent effects, which are observed in
the public practice of magnetism, are due to manipula-
tions, or to the excitement of the imagination and the
impressions made upon the senses; and that there is one
more fact to be recorded in the history of the errors of
the human mind, and an important experiment upon
the power of the imagination."
Clairvoyance, magnetism
101:8
In 1837, a committee of nine persons was appointed,
In 1837, a committee of nine persons was appointed,
among whom were Roux, Bouillaud, and Clo-
quet, which tested during several sessions the
phenomena exhibited by a reputed clairvoyant. Their
report stated the results as follows:
101:13
"The facts which had been promised by Monsieur
"The facts which had been promised by Monsieur
Berna [the magnetizer] as conclusive, and as adapted to
throw light on physiological and therapeutical questions,
are certainly not conclusive in favor of the doctrine of
animal magnetism, and have nothing in common with
either physiology or therapeutics."
101:19
This report was adopted by the Royal Academy of
This report was adopted by the Royal Academy of
Medicine in Paris.
Personal conclusions
101:21
The author's own observations of the workings of
The author's own observations of the workings of
animal magnetism convince her that it is not
a remedial agent, and that its effects upon
those who practise it, and upon their subjects who do
not resist it, lead to moral and to physical death.
101:26
If animal magnetism seems to alleviate or to cure dis-
If animal magnetism seems to alleviate or to cure dis-
ease, this appearance is deceptive, since error cannot
remove the effects of error. Discomfort under error is
preferable to comfort. In no instance is the effect of
animal magnetism, recently called hypnotism, other
than the effect of illusion. Any seeming benefit derived
from it is proportional to one's faith in esoteric magic.
Mere negation
102:1
Animal magnetism has no scientific foundation, for
Animal magnetism has no scientific foundation, for
God governs all that is real, harmonious, and eternal, and
His power is neither animal nor human. Its
basis being a belief and this belief animal, in
Science animal magnetism, mesmerism, or hypnotism is
a mere negation, possessing neither intelligence, power,
nor reality, and in sense it is an unreal concept of the so‑
called mortal mind.
102:9
There is but one real attraction, that of Spirit. The
There is but one real attraction, that of Spirit. The
pointing of the needle to the pole symbolizes this all‑
embracing power or the attraction of God, divine Mind.
102:12
The planets have no more power over man than over
The planets have no more power over man than over
his Maker, since God governs the universe; but man,
reflecting God's power, has dominion over all the earth
and its hosts.
Hidden agents
102:16
The mild forms of animal magnetism are disappear-
The mild forms of animal magnetism are disappear-
ing, and its aggressive features are coming to the front.
The looms of crime, hidden in the dark re-
cesses of mortal thought, are every hour weav-
ing webs more complicated and subtle. So secret are the
present methods of animal magnetism that they ensnare
the age into indolence, and produce the very apathy on
the subject which the criminal desires. The following
is an extract from the Boston Herald:
102:25
"Mesmerism is a problem not lending itself to an easy
"Mesmerism is a problem not lending itself to an easy
explanation and development. It implies the exercise
of despotic control, and is much more likely to be abused
by its possessor, than otherwise employed, for the in-
dividual or society."
Mental despotism
102:30
Mankind must learn that evil is not power. Its so‑
Mankind must learn that evil is not power. Its so‑
called despotism is but a phase of nothingness. Christian
Science despoils the kingdom of evil, and pre-eminently
103:1
promotes affection and virtue in families and therefore
promotes affection and virtue in families and therefore
in the community. The Apostle Paul refers to the
personification of evil as "the god of this
world," and further defines it as dishonesty
and craftiness. Sin was the Assyrian moon-god.
Liberation of mental powers
103:6
The destruction of the claims of mortal mind through
The destruction of the claims of mortal mind through
Science, by which man can escape from sin
and mortality, blesses the whole human fam-
ily. As in the beginning, however, this libera-
tion does not scientifically show itself in a knowledge of
both good and evil, for the latter is unreal.
On the other hand, Mind-science is wholly separate
from any half-way impertinent knowledge, because Mind‑
science is of God and demonstrates the divine Principle,
working out the purposes of good only. The maximum
of good is the infinite God and His idea, the All-in-all.
Evil is a suppositional lie.
The genus of error
103:18
As named in Christian Science, animal magnetism or
As named in Christian Science, animal magnetism or
hypnotism is the specific term for error, or mortal mind.
It is the false belief that mind is in matter, and
is both evil and good; that evil is as real as
good and more powerful. This belief has not one qual-
ity of Truth. It is either ignorant or malicious. The
malicious form of hypnotism ultimates in moral idiocy.
The truths of immortal Mind sustain man, and they anni-
hilate the fables of mortal mind, whose flimsy and gaudy
pretensions, like silly moths, singe their own wings and
fall into dust.
Thought-transference
103:29
In reality there is no mortal mind, and conse-
In reality there is no mortal mind, and conse-
quently no transference of mortal thought
and will-power. Life and being are of
God. In Christian Science, man can do no harm, for
104:1
scientific thoughts are true thoughts, passing from God
scientific thoughts are true thoughts, passing from God
to man.
104:3
When Christian Science and animal magnetism are
When Christian Science and animal magnetism are
both comprehended, as they will be at no distant date,
it will be seen why the author of this book has been
so unjustly persecuted and belied by wolves in sheep's
clothing.
104:8
Agassiz, the celebrated naturalist and author, has
Agassiz, the celebrated naturalist and author, has
wisely said: "Every great scientific truth goes through
three stages. First, people say it conflicts with the Bible.
Next, they say it has been discovered before. Lastly,
they say they have always believed it."
Perfection of divine government
104:13
Christian Science goes to the bottom of mental action,
Christian Science goes to the bottom of mental action,
and reveals the theodicy which indicates the rightness of
all divine action, as the emanation of divine
Mind, and the consequent wrongness of the
opposite so-called action, – evil, occultism,
necromancy, mesmerism, animal magnetism, hypnotism.
Adulteration of Truth
104:19
The medicine of Science is divine Mind; and dishonesty,
The medicine of Science is divine Mind; and dishonesty,
sensuality, falsehood, revenge, malice, are animal pro-
pensities and by no means the mental quali-
ties which heal the sick. The hypnotizer
employs one error to destroy another. If he heals sick-
ness through a belief, and a belief originally caused the
sickness, it is a case of the greater error overcoming the
lesser. This greater error thereafter occupies the ground,
leaving the case worse than before it was grasped by the
stronger error.
Motives considered
104:29
Our courts recognize evidence to prove the motive as
Our courts recognize evidence to prove the motive as
well as the commission of a crime. Is it not
clear that the human mind must move the
body to a wicked act? Is not mortal mind the mur-
105:1
derer? The hands, without mortal mind to direct them,
derer? The hands, without mortal mind to direct them,
could not commit a murder.
Mental crimes
105:3
Courts and juries judge and sentence mortals in order
Courts and juries judge and sentence mortals in order
to restrain crime, to prevent deeds of violence or to punish
them. To say that these tribunals have no
jurisdiction over the carnal or mortal mind,
would be to contradict precedent and to admit that the
power of human law is restricted to matter, while mortal
mind, evil, which is the real outlaw, defies justice and is
recommended to mercy. Can matter commit a crime?
Can matter be punished? Can you separate the men-
tality from the body over which courts hold jurisdiction?
Mortal mind, not matter, is the criminal in every case;
and human law rightly estimates crime, and courts rea-
sonably pass sentence, according to the motive.
Important decision
105:16
When our laws eventually take cognizance of mental
When our laws eventually take cognizance of mental
crime and no longer apply legal rulings wholly to physical
offences, these words of Judge Parmenter of
Boston will become historic: "I see no reason
why metaphysics is not as important to medicine as to
mechanics or mathematics."
Evil let loose
105:22
Whoever uses his developed mental powers like an es-
Whoever uses his developed mental powers like an es-
caped felon to commit fresh atrocities as opportunity oc-
curs is never safe. God will arrest him. Di-
vine justice will manacle him. His sins will
be millstones about his neck, weighing him down to the
depths of ignominy and death. The aggravation of er-
ror foretells its doom, and confirms the ancient axiom:
"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad."
The misuse of mental power
105:30
The distance from ordinary medical prac-
The distance from ordinary medical prac-
tice to Christian Science is full many a league
in the line of light; but to go in healing from the use of
106:1
inanimate drugs to the criminal misuse of human will‑
inanimate drugs to the criminal misuse of human will‑
power, is to drop from the platform of common manhood
into the very mire of iniquity, to work against the free
course of honesty and justice, and to push vainly against
the current running heavenward.
Proper self-government
106:6
Like our nation, Christian Science has its Declaration
Like our nation, Christian Science has its Declaration
of Independence. God has endowed man with inalien-
able rights, among which are self-government,
reason, and conscience. Man is properly self‑
governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by
his Maker, divine Truth and Love.
106:12
Man's rights are invaded when the divine order is in-
Man's rights are invaded when the divine order is in-
terfered with, and the mental trespasser incurs the divine
penalty due this crime.
Right methods
106:15
Let this age, which sits in judgment on Christian
Let this age, which sits in judgment on Christian
Science, sanction only such methods as are demonstrable
in Truth and known by their fruit, and classify
all others as did St. Paul in his great epistle
to the Galatians, when he wrote as follows:
106:20
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are
these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings and such like: of the which I tell you before,
as I have also told you in time past, that they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law."
Chapter VI
Science, Theology, Medicine
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me
is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught
it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. – PAUL.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and
hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. – JESUS.
Christian Science discovered
107:1
IN the year 1866, I discovered the Christ Science or
IN the year 1866, I discovered the Christ Science or
divine laws of Life, Truth, and Love, and
named my discovery Christian Science. God
had been graciously preparing me during many
years for the reception of this final revelation of the ab-
solute divine Principle of scientific mental healing.
Mission of Christian Science
107:7
This apodictical Principle points to the revelation of
This apodictical Principle points to the revelation of
Immanuel, "God with us," – the sovereign ever-pres-
ence, delivering the children of men from
every ill "that flesh is heir to." Through
Christian Science, religion and medicine are
inspired with a diviner nature and essence; fresh pinions
are given to faith and understanding, and thoughts ac-
quaint themselves intelligently with God.
Discontent with life
107:15
Feeling so perpetually the false consciousness that life
Feeling so perpetually the false consciousness that life
inheres in the body, yet remembering that in
reality God is our Life, we may well tremble
in the prospect of those days in which we must say, "I
have no pleasure in them."
108:1
Whence came to me this heavenly conviction, – a con-
Whence came to me this heavenly conviction, – a con-
viction antagonistic to the testimony of the physical senses?
According to St. Paul, it was "the gift of the grace of
God given unto me by the effectual working of His power."
It was the divine law of Life and Love, unfolding to me
the demonstrable fact that matter possesses neither sen-
sation nor life; that human experiences show the falsity
of all material things; and that immortal cravings, "the
price of learning love," establish the truism that the
only sufferer is mortal mind, for the divine Mind cannot
suffer.
Demonstrable evidence
108:12
My conclusions were reached by allowing the evidence
My conclusions were reached by allowing the evidence
of this revelation to multiply with mathematical certainty
and the lesser demonstration to prove the
greater, as the product of three multiplied by
three, equalling nine, proves conclusively that three times
three duodecillions must be nine duodecillions, – not
a fraction more, not a unit less.
Light shining in darkness
108:19
When apparently near the confines of mortal existence,
When apparently near the confines of mortal existence,
standing already within the shadow of the death-valley,
I learned these truths in divine Science: that
all real being is in God, the divine Mind, and
that Life, Truth, and Love are all-powerful and ever‑
present; that the opposite of Truth, – called error, sin,
sickness, disease, death, – is the false testimony of false
material sense, of mind in matter; that this false sense
evolves, in belief, a subjective state of mortal mind which
this same so-called mind names matter thereby shutting
out the true sense of Spirit.
New lines of thought
108:30
My discovery, that erring, mortal, misnamed
My discovery, that erring, mortal, misnamed
mind produces all the organism and action of
the mortal body, set my thoughts to work in new channels,
109:1
and led up to my demonstration of the proposition that
and led up to my demonstration of the proposition that
Mind is All and matter is naught as the leading factor in
Mind-science.
Scientific evidence
109:4
Christian Science reveals incontrovertibly that Mind
Christian Science reveals incontrovertibly that Mind
is All-in-all, that the only realities are the divine Mind
and idea. This great fact is not, however, seen
to be supported by sensible evidence, until its
divine Principle is demonstrated by healing the sick and
thus proved absolute and divine. This proof once seen,
no other conclusion can be reached.
Solitary research
109:11
For three years after my discovery, I sought the solu-
For three years after my discovery, I sought the solu-
tion of this problem of Mind-healing, searched the Scrip-
tures and read little else, kept aloof from so-
ciety, and devoted time and energies to dis-
covering a positive rule. The search was sweet, calm, and
buoyant with hope, not selfish nor depressing. I knew
the Principle of all harmonious Mind-action to be God,
and that cures were produced in primitive Christian
healing by holy, uplifting faith; but I must know the
Science of this healing, and I won my way to absolute
conclusions through divine revelation, reason, and dem-
onstration. The revelation of Truth in the understand-
ing came to me gradually and apparently through divine
power. When a new spiritual idea is borne to earth, the
prophetic Scripture of Isaiah is renewedly fulfilled:
"Unto us a child is born, . . . and his name shall be
called Wonderful."
109:28
Jesus once said of his lessons: "My doctrine is not
Jesus once said of his lessons: "My doctrine is not
mine, but His that sent me. If any man will do His will,
he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or
whether I speak of myself." (John vii. 16,17.)
God's allness learned
109:32
The three great verities of Spirit, omnipotence, omni-
The three great verities of Spirit, omnipotence, omni-
110:1
presence, omniscience, – Spirit possessing all power,
presence, omniscience, – Spirit possessing all power,
filling all space, constituting all Science, – contradict
forever the belief that matter can be actual.
These eternal verities reveal primeval exist-
ence as the radiant reality of God's creation,
in which all that He has made is pronounced by His wis-
dom good.
110:8
Thus it was that I beheld, as never before, the awful
Thus it was that I beheld, as never before, the awful
unreality called evil. The equipollence of God brought
to light another glorious proposition, – man's perfecti-
bility and the establishment of the kingdom of heaven on
earth.
Scriptural foundations
110:13
In following these leadings of scientific revelation,
In following these leadings of scientific revelation,
the Bible was my only textbook. The Scriptures were
illumined; reason and revelation were recon-
ciled, and afterwards the truth of Christian
Science was demonstrated. No human pen nor tongue
taught me the Science contained in this book, SCIENCE
AND HEALTH; and neither tongue nor pen can over-
throw it. This book may be distorted by shallow criti-
cism or by careless or malicious students, and its ideas
may be temporarily abused and misrepresented; but the
Science and truth therein will forever remain to be dis-
cerned and demonstrated.
The demonstration lost and found
110:25
Jesus demonstrated the power of Christian Science to
Jesus demonstrated the power of Christian Science to
heal mortal minds and bodies. But this power was lost
sight of, and must again be spiritually dis-
cerned, taught, and demonstrated according
to Christ's command, with "signs following."
Its Science must be apprehended by as many as believe
on Christ and spiritually understand Truth.
Mystical antagonists
110:32
No analogy exists between the vague hypotheses of
No analogy exists between the vague hypotheses of
111:1
agnosticism, pantheism, theosophy, spiritualism, or
agnosticism, pantheism, theosophy, spiritualism, or
millenarianism and the demonstrable truths of Chris-
tian Science; and I find the will, or sensuous
reason of the human mind, to be opposed to
the divine Mind as expressed through divine Science.
Optical illustration of Science
111:6
Christian Science is natural, but not physical. The
Christian Science is natural, but not physical. The
Science of God and man is no more supernatural than
is the science of numbers, though departing
from the realm of the physical, as the Science
of God, Spirit, must, some may deny its right to
the name of Science. The Principle of divine metaphysics
is God; the practice of divine metaphysics is the utiliza-
tion of the power of Truth over error; its rules demon-
strate its Science. Divine metaphysics reverses perverted
and physical hypotheses as to Deity, even as the ex-
planation of optics rejects the incidental or inverted
image and shows what this inverted image is meant to
represent.
Pertinent proposal
111:19
A prize of one hundred pounds, offered in Oxford Uni-
A prize of one hundred pounds, offered in Oxford Uni-
versity, England, for the best essay on Natural Science,
– an essay calculated to offset the tendency of
the age to attribute physical effects to physical
causes rather than to a final spiritual cause, – is one of
many incidents which show that Christian Science meets
a yearning of the human race for spirituality.
Confirmatory tests
111:26
After a lengthy examination of my discovery and its
After a lengthy examination of my discovery and its
demonstration in healing the sick, this fact became evi-
dent to me, – that Mind governs the body,
not partially but wholly. I submitted my
metaphysical system of treating disease to the broad-
est practical tests. Since then this system has gradually
gained ground, and has proved itself, whenever scien-
112:1
tifically employed, to be the most effective curative agent
tifically employed, to be the most effective curative agent
in medical practice.
One school of Truth
112:3
Is there more than one school of Christian Science?
Is there more than one school of Christian Science?
Christian Science is demonstrable. There can, there-
fore, be but one method in its teaching. Those who de-
part from this method forfeit their claims to
belong to its school, and they become adher-
ents of the Socratic, the Platonic, the Spencerian, or some
other school. By this is meant that they adopt and ad-
here to some particular system of human opinions. Al-
though these opinions may have occasional gleams of
divinity, borrowed from that truly divine Science which
eschews man-made systems, they nevertheless remain
wholly human in their origin and tendency and are not
scientifically Christian.
Unchanging Principle
112:16
From the infinite One in Christian Science comes one
From the infinite One in Christian Science comes one
Principle and its infinite idea, and with this infinitude
come spiritual rules, laws, and their demon-
stration, which, like the great Giver, are "the
same yesterday, and to-day, and forever;" for thus are
the divine Principle of healing and the Christ-idea charac-
terized in the epistle to the Hebrews.
On sandy foundations
112:23
Any theory of Christian Science, which departs from
Any theory of Christian Science, which departs from
what has already been stated and proved to be true, af-
fords no foundation upon which to establish
a genuine school of this Science. Also, if any
so-called new school claims to be Christian Science, and
yet uses another author's discoveries without giving that
author proper credit, such a school is erroneous, for it
inculcates a breach of that divine commandment in the
Hebrew Decalogue, "Thou shalt not steal."
Principle and practice
112:32
God is the Principle of divine metaphysics. As there
God is the Principle of divine metaphysics. As there
113:1
is but one God, there can be but one divine Principle of
is but one God, there can be but one divine Principle of
all Science; and there must be fixed rules for the demon-
stration of this divine Principle. The letter
of Science plentifully reaches humanity to-day,
but its spirit comes only in small degrees. The vital part,
the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love. With-
out this, the letter is but the dead body of Science, –
pulseless, cold, inanimate.
Reversible propositions
113:9
The fundamental propositions of divine metaphysics
The fundamental propositions of divine metaphysics
are summarized in the four following, to me, self-evident
propositions. Even if reversed, these proposi-
tions will be found to agree in statement and
proof, showing mathematically their exact relation to
Truth. De Quincey says mathematics has not a foot to
stand upon which is not purely metaphysical.
1. God is All-in-all.
2. God is good. Good is Mind.
3. God, Spirit, being all, nothing is matter.
4. Life, God, omnipotent good, deny death, evil, sin,
disease. – Disease, sin, evil, death, deny good, omnipo-
tent God, Life.
113:22
Which of the denials in proposition four is true? Both
Which of the denials in proposition four is true? Both
are not, cannot be, true. According to the Scripture,
I find that God is true, "but every [mortal] man a
liar."
Metaphysical inversions
113:26
The divine metaphysics of Christian Science, like the
The divine metaphysics of Christian Science, like the
method in mathematics, proves the rule by inversion.
For example: There is no pain in Truth, and
no truth in pain; no nerve in Mind, and no
mind in nerve; no matter in Mind, and no mind in mat-
ter; no matter in Life, and no life in matter; no matter
in good, and no good in matter.
Definition of mortal mind
114:1
Usage classes both evil and good together as mind;
Usage classes both evil and good together as mind;
therefore, to be understood, the author calls sick and sin-
ful humanity mortal mind, – meaning by this
term the flesh opposed to Spirit, the human
mind and evil in contradistinction to the divine Mind, or
Truth and good. The spiritually unscientific definition
of mind is based on the evidence of the physical senses,
which makes minds many and calls mind both human and
divine.
114:10
In Science, Mind is one, including noumenon and phe-
In Science, Mind is one, including noumenon and phe-
nomena, God and His thoughts.
Imperfect terminology
114:12
Mortal mind is a solecism in language, and involves an
Mortal mind is a solecism in language, and involves an
improper use of the word mind. As Mind is immortal,
the phrase mortal mind implies something un-
true and therefore unreal; and as the phrase
is used in teaching Christian Science, it is meant to
designate that which has no real existence. Indeed, if
a better word or phrase could be suggested, it would
be used; but in expressing the new tongue we must
sometimes recur to the old and imperfect, and the new
wine of the Spirit has to be poured into the old bottles of
the letter.
Causation mental
114:23
Christian Science explains all cause and effect as men-
Christian Science explains all cause and effect as men-
tal, not physical. It lifts the veil of mystery from Soul and
body. It shows the scientific relation of man
to God, disentangles the interlaced ambiguities
of being, and sets free the imprisoned thought. In divine
Science, the universe, including man, is spiritual, harmoni-
ous, and eternal. Science shows that what is termed mat-
ter is but the subjective state of what is termed by the
author mortal mind.
Philological inadequacy
114:32
Apart from the usual opposition to everything new,
Apart from the usual opposition to everything new,