Chapter XII - Christian Science Practice
Mind removes scrofula
425:1
parents or some of his progenitors farther back have so
parents or some of his progenitors farther back have so
believed. Mortal mind, not matter, induces this con-
clusion and its results. You will have humors, just so
long as you believe them to be safety-valves or to be
ineradicable.
Nothing to consume
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If the case to be mentally treated is consumption, take
If the case to be mentally treated is consumption, take
up the leading points included (according to belief) in
this disease. Show that it is not inherited;
that inflammation, tubercles, hemorrhage, and
decomposition are beliefs, images of mortal thought su-
perimposed upon the body; that they are not the truth
of man; that they should be treated as error and put out
of thought. Then these ills will disappear.
The lungs re-formed
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If the body is diseased, this is but one of the beliefs of
If the body is diseased, this is but one of the beliefs of
mortal mind. Mortal man will be less mortal, when he
learns that matter never sustained existence
and can never destroy God, who is man's Life.
When this is understood, mankind will be more spiritual
and know that there is nothing to consume, since Spirit,
God, is All-in-all. What if the belief is consumption?
God is more to a man than his belief, and the less we ac-
knowledge matter or its laws, the more immortality we
possess. Consciousness constructs a better body when
faith in matter has been conquered. Correct material
belief by spiritual understanding, and Spirit will form
you anew. You will never fear again except to offend
God, and you will never believe that heart or any por-
tion of the body can destroy you.
Soundness maintained
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If you have sound and capacious lungs and want
If you have sound and capacious lungs and want
them to remain so, be always ready with the
mental protest against the opposite belief in
heredity. Discard all notions about lungs, tubercles, in-
426:1
herited consumption, or disease arising from any cir-
herited consumption, or disease arising from any cir-
cumstance, and you will find that mortal mind, when
instructed by Truth, yields to divine power, which steers
the body into health.
Our footsteps heavenward
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The discoverer of Christian Science finds the path less
The discoverer of Christian Science finds the path less
difficult when she has the high goal always before her
thoughts, than when she counts her footsteps
in endeavoring to reach it. When the desti-
nation is desirable, expectation speeds our progress. The
struggle for Truth makes one strong instead of weak,
resting instead of wearying one. If the belief in death
were obliterated, and the understanding obtained that
there is no death, this would be a "tree of life," known
by its fruits. Man should renew his energies and en-
deavors, and see the folly of hypocrisy, while also learn-
ing the necessity of working out his own salvation. When
it is learned that disease cannot destroy life, and that
mortals are not saved from sin or sickness by death, this
understanding will quicken into newness of life. It will
master either a desire to die or a dread of the grave,
and thus destroy the great fear that besets mortal
existence.
Christian standard
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The relinquishment of all faith in death and also of
The relinquishment of all faith in death and also of
the fear of its sting would raise the standard of health
and morals far beyond its present elevation,
and would enable us to hold the banner of
Christianity aloft with unflinching faith in God, in Life
eternal. Sin brought death, and death will disappear
with the disappearance of sin. Man is immortal, and
the body cannot die, because matter has no life to sur-
render. The human concepts named matter, death, dis-
ease, sickness, and sin are all that can be destroyed.
Life not contingent on matter
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If it is true that man lives, this fact can never change
If it is true that man lives, this fact can never change
in Science to the opposite belief that man dies. Life is
the law of Soul, even the law of the spirit of
Truth, and Soul is never without its represent-
ative. Man's individual being can no more
die nor disappear in unconsciousness than can Soul, for
both are immortal. If man believes in death now, he
must disbelieve in it when learning that there is no reality
in death, since the truth of being is deathless. The be-
lief that existence is contingent on matter must be met
and mastered by Science, before Life can be understood
and harmony obtained.
Mortality vanquished
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Death is but another phase of the dream that exist-
Death is but another phase of the dream that exist-
ence can be material. Nothing can interfere with the
harmony of being nor end the existence of
man in Science. Man is the same after as
before a bone is broken or the body guillotined. If man
is never to overcome death, why do the Scriptures say,
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death"? The
tenor of the Word shows that we shall obtain the victory
over death in proportion as we overcome sin. The great
difficulty lies in ignorance of what God is. God, Life,
Truth, and Love make man undying. Immortal Mind,
governing all, must be acknowledged as supreme in the
physical realm, so-called, as well as in the spiritual.
No death nor inaction
427:26
Called to the bed of death, what material remedy has
Called to the bed of death, what material remedy has
man when all such remedies have failed? Spirit is his
last resort, but it should have been his first
and only resort. The dream of death must
be mastered by Mind here or hereafter. Thought
will waken from its own material declaration, "I am
dead," to catch this trumpet-word of Truth, "There
428:1
is no death, no inaction, diseased action, overaction, nor
is no death, no inaction, diseased action, overaction, nor
reaction."
Vision opening
428:3
Life is real, and death is the illusion. A demonstra-
Life is real, and death is the illusion. A demonstra-
tion of the facts of Soul in Jesus' way resolves the dark
visions of material sense into harmony and
immortality. Man's privilege at this supreme
moment is to prove the words of our Master: "If a man
keep my saying, he shall never see death." To divest
thought of false trusts and material evidences in order
that the spiritual facts of being may appear, – this is
the great attainment by means of which we shall sweep
away the false and give place to the true. Thus we may
establish in truth the temple, or body, "whose builder
and maker is God."
Intelligent consecration
428:15
We should consecrate existence, not "to the unknown
We should consecrate existence, not "to the unknown
God" whom we "ignorantly worship," but to the eternal
builder, the everlasting Father, to the Life
which mortal sense cannot impair nor mortal
belief destroy. We must realize the ability of mental
might to offset human misconceptions and to replace them
with the life which is spiritual, not material.
The present immortality
428:22
The great spiritual fact must be brought out that man
The great spiritual fact must be brought out that man
is, not shall be, perfect and immortal. We must hold
forever the consciousness of existence, and
sooner or later, through Christ and Christian
Science, we must master sin and death. The evidence
of man's immortality will become more apparent, as ma-
terial beliefs are given up and the immortal facts of being
are admitted.
Careful guidance
428:30
The author has healed hopeless organic disease, and
The author has healed hopeless organic disease, and
raised the dying to life and health through the under-
standing of God as the only Life. It is a sin to believe
429:1
that aught can overpower omnipotent and eternal Life,
that aught can overpower omnipotent and eternal Life,
and this Life must be brought to light by the understand-
ing that there is no death, as well as by other
graces of Spirit. We must begin, however,
with the more simple demonstrations of control, and
the sooner we begin the better. The final demonstration
takes time for its accomplishment. When walking, we
are guided by the eye. We look before our feet, and if
we are wise, we look beyond a single step in the line of
spiritual advancement.
Clay replying to the potter
429:11
The corpse, deserted by thought, is cold and decays,
The corpse, deserted by thought, is cold and decays,
but it never suffers. Science declares that man is sub-
ject to Mind. Mortal mind affirms that mind
is subordinate to the body, that the body is
dying, that it must be buried and decomposed
into dust; but mortal mind's affirmation is not true.
Mortals waken from the dream of death with bodies un-
seen by those who think that they bury the body.
Continuity of existence
429:19
If man did not exist before the material organization
If man did not exist before the material organization
began, he could not exist after the body is disintegrated.
If we live after death and are immortal, we
must have lived before birth, for if Life ever
had any beginning, it must also have an ending, even ac-
cording to the calculations of natural science. Do you
believe this? No! Do you understand it? No! This
is why you doubt the statement and do not demonstrate
the facts it involves. We must have faith in all the say-
ings of our Master, though they are not included in the
teachings of the schools, and are not understood gener-
ally by our ethical instructors.
Life all-inclusive
429:31
Jesus said (John viii. 51), "If a man keep my saying,
Jesus said (John viii. 51), "If a man keep my saying,
he shall never see death." That statement is not con-
430:1
fined to spiritual life, but includes all the phenomena of
fined to spiritual life, but includes all the phenomena of
existence. Jesus demonstrated this, healing the dying
and raising the dead. Mortal mind must part
with error, must put off itself with its deeds,
and immortal manhood, the Christ ideal, will appear.
Faith should enlarge its borders and strengthen its base
by resting upon Spirit instead of matter. When man
gives up his belief in death, he will advance more rapidly
towards God, Life, and Love. Belief in sickness and
death, as certainly as belief in sin, tends to shut out the
true sense of Life and health. When will mankind wake
to this great fact in Science?
430:13
I here present to my readers an allegory illustrative
I here present to my readers an allegory illustrative
of the law of divine Mind and of the supposed laws of mat-
ter and hygiene, an allegory in which the plea of Christian
Science heals the sick.
A mental court case
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Suppose a mental case to be on trial, as cases are tried
Suppose a mental case to be on trial, as cases are tried
in court. A man is charged with having committed liver‑
complaint. The patient feels ill, ruminates,
and the trial commences. Personal Sense is
the plaintiff. Mortal Man is the defendant. False Belief
is the attorney for Personal Sense. Mortal Minds, Ma-
teria Medica, Anatomy, Physiology, Hypnotism, Envy,
Greed and Ingratitude, constitute the jury. The court-
room is filled with interested spectators, and Judge
Medicine is on the bench.
The evidence for the prosecution being called for, a
witness testifies thus: –
430:29
I represent Health-laws. I was present on certain nights
I represent Health-laws. I was present on certain nights
when the prisoner, or patient, watched with a sick friend.
Although I have the superintendence of human affairs, I
was personally abused on those occasions. I was told that
431:1
I must remain silent until called for at this trial, when I
I must remain silent until called for at this trial, when I
would be allowed to testify in the case. Notwithstanding
my rules to the contrary, the prisoner watched with the sick
every night in the week. When the sick mortal was thirsty,
the prisoner gave him drink. During all this time the pris-
oner attended to his daily labors, partaking of food at ir-
regular intervals, sometimes going to sleep immediately
after a heavy meal. At last he committed liver-complaint,
which I considered criminal, inasmuch as this offence is
deemed punishable with death. Therefore I arrested Mor-
tal Man in behalf of the state (namely, the body) and cast
him into prison.
431:13
At the time of the arrest the prisoner summoned Physi-
At the time of the arrest the prisoner summoned Physi-
ology, Materia Medica, and Hypnotism to prevent his pun-
ishment. The struggle on their part was long. Materia
Medica held out the longest, but at length all these assist-
ants resigned to me, Health-laws, and I succeeded in get-
ting Mortal Man into close confinement until I should
release him.
431:20
The next witness is called:-
The next witness is called:-
431:21
I am Coated Tongue. I am covered with a foul fur,
I am Coated Tongue. I am covered with a foul fur,
placed on me the night of the liver-attack. Morbid Secre-
tion hypnotized the prisoner and took control of his mind,
making him despondent.
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Another witness takes the stand and testifies:-
Another witness takes the stand and testifies:-
431:26
I am Sallow Skin. I have been dry, hot, and chilled by
I am Sallow Skin. I have been dry, hot, and chilled by
turns since the night of the liver-attack. I have lost my
healthy hue and become unsightly, although nothing on my
part has occasioned this change. I practise daily ablutions
and perform my functions as usual, but I am robbed of my
good looks.
432:1
The next witness testifies: –
The next witness testifies: –
432:2
I am Nerve, the State Commissioner for Mortal Man.
I am Nerve, the State Commissioner for Mortal Man.
I am intimately acquainted with the plaintiff, Personal
Sense, and know him to be truthful and upright, whereas
Mortal Man, the prisoner at the bar, is capable of false-
hood. I was witness to the crime of liver-complaint. I
knew the prisoner would commit it, for I convey messages
from my residence in matter, alias brain, to body.
432:9
Another witness is called for by the Court of Error
Another witness is called for by the Court of Error
and says: –
432:11
I am Mortality, Governor of the Province of Body, in
I am Mortality, Governor of the Province of Body, in
which Mortal Man resides. In this province there is a stat-
ute regarding disease, – namely, that he upon whose per-
son disease is found shall be treated as a criminal and
punished with death.
432:16
The Judge asks if by doing good to his neighbor, it is
The Judge asks if by doing good to his neighbor, it is
possible for man to become diseased, transgress the laws,
and merit punishment, and Governor Mortality replies in
the affirmative.
432:20
Another witness takes the stand and testifies: –
Another witness takes the stand and testifies: –
432:21
I am Death. I was called for, shortly after the report of
I am Death. I was called for, shortly after the report of
the crime, by the officer of the Board of Health, who pro-
tested that the prisoner had abused him, and that my pres-
ence was required to confirm his testimony. One of the
prisoner's friends, Materia Medica, was present when I
arrived, endeavoring to assist the prisoner to escape from
the hands of justice, alias nature's so-called law; but my
appearance with a message from the Board of Health
changed the purpose of Materia Medica, and he decided at
once that the prisoner should die.
Judge Medicine charges the jury
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The testimony for the plaintiff, Personal Sense, being
The testimony for the plaintiff, Personal Sense, being
closed, Judge Medicine arises, and with great solemnity
addresses the jury of Mortal Minds. He an-
alyzes the offence, reviews the testimony, and
explains the law relating to liver-complaint.
His conclusion is, that laws of nature render disease
homicidal. In compliance with a stern duty, his Honor,
Judge Medicine, urges the jury not to allow their judg-
ment to be warped by the irrational, unchristian sugges-
tions of Christian Science. The jury must regard in such
cases only the evidence of Personal Sense against Mortal
Man.
433:13
As the Judge proceeds, the prisoner grows restless. His
As the Judge proceeds, the prisoner grows restless. His
sallow face blanches with fear, and a look of despair and
death settles upon it. The case is given to the jury. A
brief consultation ensues, and the jury returns a verdict
of "Guilty of liver-complaint in the first degree."
Mortal Man sentenced
433:18
Judge Medicine then proceeds to pronounce the solemn
Judge Medicine then proceeds to pronounce the solemn
sentence of death upon the prisoner. Because he has
loved his neighbor as himself, Mortal Man has
been guilty of benevolence in the first degree,
and this has led him into the commission of the second
crime, liver-complaint, which material laws condemn as
homicide. For this crime Mortal Man is sentenced to
be tortured until he is dead. "May God have mercy on
your soul," is the Judge's solemn peroration.
433:27
The prisoner is then remanded to his cell (sick-bed),
The prisoner is then remanded to his cell (sick-bed),
and Scholastic Theology is sent for to prepare the fright-
ened sense of Life, God, – which sense must be immortal,
– for death.
Appeal to a higher tribunal
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Ah! but Christ, Truth, the spirit of Life and the
Ah! but Christ, Truth, the spirit of Life and the
friend of Mortal Man, can open wide those prison doors
434:1
and set the captive free. Swift on the wings of divine
and set the captive free. Swift on the wings of divine
Love, there comes a despatch: "Delay the execution;
the prisoner is not guilty." Consternation fills
the prison-yard. Some exclaim, "It is con-
trary to law and justice." Others say,
"The law of Christ supersedes our laws; let us follow
Christ."
Counsel for defence
434:8
After much debate and opposition, permission is ob-
After much debate and opposition, permission is ob-
tained for a trial in the Court of Spirit, where Christian
Science is allowed to appear as counsel for
the unfortunate prisoner. Witnesses, judges
and jurors, who were at the previous Court of Error,
are now summoned to appear before the bar of Justice
and eternal Truth.
434:15
When the case for Mortal Man versus Personal Sense
When the case for Mortal Man versus Personal Sense
is opened, Mortal Man's counsel regards the prisoner
with the utmost tenderness. The counsel's earnest,
solemn eyes, kindling with hope and triumph, look up-
ward. Then Christian Science turns suddenly to the
supreme tribunal, and opens the argument for the
defence: –
434:22
The prisoner at the bar has been unjustly sentenced.
The prisoner at the bar has been unjustly sentenced.
His trial was a tragedy, and is morally illegal. Mortal
Man has had no proper counsel in the case. All the testi-
mony has been on the side of Personal Sense, and we shall
unearth this foul conspiracy against the liberty and life of
Man. The only valid testimony in the case shows the
alleged crime never to have been committed. The pris-
oner is not proved "worthy of death, or of bonds."
434:30
Your Honor, the lower court has sentenced Mortal Man
Your Honor, the lower court has sentenced Mortal Man
to die, but God made Man immortal and amenable to
Spirit only. Denying justice to the body, that court com-
435:1
mended man's immortal Spirit to heavenly mercy, – Spirit
mended man's immortal Spirit to heavenly mercy, – Spirit
which is God Himself and Man's only lawgiver! Who or
what has sinned? Has the body or has Mortal Mind
committed a criminal deed? Counsellor False Belief has
argued that the body should die, while Reverend Theology
would console conscious Mortal Mind, which alone is capa-
ble of sin and suffering. The body committed no offence.
Mortal Man, in obedience to higher law, helped his fellow‑
man, an act which should result in good to himself as well
as to others.
435:11
The law of our Supreme Court decrees that whosoever
The law of our Supreme Court decrees that whosoever
sinneth shall die; but good deeds are immortal, bringing
joy instead of grief, pleasure instead of pain, and life
instead of death. If liver-complaint was committed by
trampling on Laws of Health, this was a good deed, for the
agent of those laws is an outlaw, a destroyer of Mortal
Man's liberty and rights. Laws of Health should be sen-
tenced to die.
435:19
Watching beside the couch of pain in the exercise of a
Watching beside the couch of pain in the exercise of a
love that "is the fulfilling of the law," – doing "unto
others as ye would that they should do unto you," – this
is no infringement of law, for no demand, human or divine,
renders it just to punish a man for acting justly. If mor-
tals sin, our Supreme Judge in equity decides what penalty
is due for the sin, and Mortal Man can suffer only for his
sin. For naught else can he be punished, according to the
law of Spirit, God.
435:28
Then what jurisdiction had his Honor, Judge Medicine,
Then what jurisdiction had his Honor, Judge Medicine,
in this case? To him I might say, in Bible language, "Sit-
test thou to judge . . . after the law, and commandest . . .
to be smitten contrary to the law?" The only jurisdiction
to which the prisoner can submit is that of Truth, Life, and
Love. If they condemn him not, neither shall Judge Medi-
cine condemn him; and I ask that the prisoner be restored
to the liberty of which he has been unjustly deprived.
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The principal witness (the officer of the Health-laws)
The principal witness (the officer of the Health-laws)
deposed that he was an eye-witness to the good deeds for
which Mortal Man is under sentence of death. After be-
traying him into the hands of your law, the Health-agent
disappeared, to reappear however at the trial as a witness
against Mortal Man and in the interest of Personal Sense,
a murderer. Your Supreme Court must find the pris-
oner on the night of the alleged offence to have been acting
within the limits of the divine law, and in obedience
thereto. Upon this statute hangs all the law and testimony.
Giving a cup of cold water in Christ's name, is a Christian
service. Laying down his life for a good deed, Mortal Man
should find it again. Such acts bear their own justifica-
tion, and are under the protection of the Most High.
436:15
Prior to the night of his arrest, the prisoner summoned
Prior to the night of his arrest, the prisoner summoned
two professed friends, Materia Medica and Physiology, to
prevent his committing liver-complaint, and thus save him
from arrest. But they brought with them Fear, the sheriff,
to precipitate the result which they were called to prevent.
It was Fear who handcuffed Mortal Man and would now
punish him. You have left Mortal Man no alternative.
He must obey your law, fear its consequences, and be pun-
ished for his fear. His friends struggled hard to rescue the
prisoner from the penalty they considered justly due, but
they were compelled to let him be taken into custody, tried,
and condemned. Thereupon Judge Medicine sat in judg-
ment on the case, and substantially charged the jury, twelve
Mortal Minds, to find the prisoner guilty. His Honor sen-
tenced Mortal Man to die for the very deeds which the di-
vine law compels man to commit. Thus the Court of Error
construed obedience to the law of divine Love as disobedi-
ence to the law of Life. Claiming to protect Mortal Man
in right-doing, that court pronounced a sentence of death
for doing right.
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One of the principal witnesses, Nerve, testified that he
One of the principal witnesses, Nerve, testified that he
437:1
was a ruler of Body, in which province Mortal Man resides.
was a ruler of Body, in which province Mortal Man resides.
He also testified that he was on intimate terms with the
plaintiff, and knew Personal Sense to be truthful; that he
knew Man, and that Man was made in the image of God,
but was a criminal. This is a foul aspersion on man's
Maker. It blots the fair escutcheon of omnipotence. It in-
dicates malice aforethought, a determination to condemn
Man in the interest of Personal Sense. At the bar of Truth,
in the presence of divine Justice, before the Judge of our
higher tribunal, the Supreme Court of Spirit, and before
its jurors, the Spiritual Senses, I proclaim this witness,
Nerve, to be destitute of intelligence and truth and to be
a false witness.
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Man self-destroyed; the testimony of matter respected;
Man self-destroyed; the testimony of matter respected;
Spirit not allowed a hearing; Soul a criminal though
recommended to mercy; the helpless innocent body tor-
tured, – these are the terrible records of your Court of
Error, and I ask that the Supreme Court of Spirit reverse
this decision.
437:20
Here the opposing counsel, False Belief, called Chris-
Here the opposing counsel, False Belief, called Chris-
tian Science to order for contempt of court. Various
notables – Materia Medica, Anatomy, Physiology, Scho-
lastic Theology, and Jurisprudence – rose to the ques-
tion of expelling Christian Science from the bar, for such
high-handed illegality. They declared that Christian Sci-
ence was overthrowing the judicial proceedings of a regu-
larly constituted court.
437:28
But Judge Justice of the Supreme Court of Spirit over-
But Judge Justice of the Supreme Court of Spirit over-
ruled their motions on the ground that unjust usages
were not allowed at the bar of Truth, which ranks above
the lower Court of Error.
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The attorney, Christian Science, then read from the
The attorney, Christian Science, then read from the
supreme statute-book, the Bible, certain extracts on the
438:1
Rights of Man, remarking, that the Bible was better au-
Rights of Man, remarking, that the Bible was better au-
thority than Blackstone: –
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Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and
Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and
let them have dominion.
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Behold, I give unto you power . . . over all the power
Behold, I give unto you power . . . over all the power
of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
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If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
438:8
Then Christian Science proved the witness, Nerve, to
Then Christian Science proved the witness, Nerve, to
be a perjurer. Instead of being a ruler in the Province
of Body, in which Mortal Man was reported to reside,
Nerve was an insubordinate citizen, putting in false
claims to office and bearing false witness against Man.
Turning suddenly to Personal Sense, by this time silent,
Christian Science continued: –
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I ask your arrest in the name of Almighty God on three
I ask your arrest in the name of Almighty God on three
distinct charges of crime, to wit: perjury, treason, and con-
spiracy against the rights and life of man.
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Then Christian Science continued:
Then Christian Science continued:
438:19
Another witness, equally inadequate, said that on the
Another witness, equally inadequate, said that on the
night of the crime a garment of foul fur was spread over
him by Morbid Secretion, while the facts in the case show
that this fur is a foreign substance, imported by False Be-
lief, the attorney for Personal Sense, who is in partnership
with Error and smuggles Error's goods into market with-
out the inspection of Soul's government officers. When
the Court of Truth summoned Furred Tongue for examina-
tion, he disappeared and was never heard of more.
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Morbid Secretion is not an importer or dealer in fur, but
Morbid Secretion is not an importer or dealer in fur, but
we have heard Materia Medica explain how this fur is
manufactured, and we know Morbid Secretion to be on
friendly terms with the firm of Personal Sense, Error, &
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Co., receiving pay from them and introducing their goods
Co., receiving pay from them and introducing their goods
into the market. Also, be it known that False Belief, the
counsel for the plaintiff, Personal Sense, is a buyer for this
firm. He manufactures for it, keeps a furnishing store,
and advertises largely for his employers.
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Death testified that he was absent from the Province of
Death testified that he was absent from the Province of
Body, when a message came from False Belief, command-
ing him to take part in the homicide. At this request
Death repaired to the spot where the liver-complaint was
in process, frightening away Materia Medica, who was then
manacling the prisoner in the attempt to save him. True,
Materia Medica was a misguided participant in the misdeed
for which the Health-officer had Mortal Man in custody,
though Mortal Man was innocent.
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Christian Science turned from the abashed witnesses,
Christian Science turned from the abashed witnesses,
his words flashing as lightning in the perturbed faces
of these worthies, Scholastic Theology, Materia Medica,
Physiology, the blind Hypnotism, and the masked Per-
sonal Sense, and said: –
439:20
God will smite you, O whited walls, for injuring in your
God will smite you, O whited walls, for injuring in your
ignorance the unfortunate Mortal Man who sought your
aid in his struggles against liver-complaint and Death.
You came to his rescue, only to fasten upon him an offence
of which he was innocent. You aided and abetted Fear
and Health-laws. You betrayed Mortal Man, meanwhile
declaring Disease to be God's servant and the righteous
executor of His laws. Our higher statutes declare you all,
witnesses, jurors, and judges, to be offenders, awaiting the
sentence which General Progress and Divine Love will
pronounce.
439:31
We send our best detectives to whatever locality is re-
We send our best detectives to whatever locality is re-
ported to be haunted by Disease, but on visiting the spot,
they learn that Disease was never there, for he could not
440:1
possibly elude their search. Your Material Court of Errors,
possibly elude their search. Your Material Court of Errors,
when it condemned Mortal Man on the ground of hygienic
disobedience, was manipulated by the oleaginous machina-
tions of the counsel, False Belief, whom Truth arraigns
before the supreme bar of Spirit to answer for his crime.
Morbid Secretion is taught how to make sleep befool reason
before sacrificing mortals to their false gods.
440:8
Mortal Minds were deceived by your attorney, False Be-
Mortal Minds were deceived by your attorney, False Be-
lief, and were influenced to give a verdict delivering Mortal
Man to Death. Good deeds are transformed into crimes,
to which you attach penalties; but no warping of justice
can render disobedience to the so-called laws of Matter
disobedience to God, or an act of homicide. Even penal
law holds homicide, under stress of circumstances, to be
justifiable. Now what greater justification can any deed
have, than that it is for the good of one's neighbor? Where-
fore, then, in the name of outraged justice, do you sentence
Mortal Man for ministering to the wants of his fellow-man
in obedience to divine law? You cannot trample upon the
decree of the Supreme Bench. Mortal Man has his appeal
to Spirit, God, who sentences only for sin.
440:22
The false and unjust beliefs of your human mental legis-
The false and unjust beliefs of your human mental legis-
lators compel them to enact wicked laws of sickness and so
forth, and then render obedience to these laws punishable
as crime. In the presence of the Supreme Lawgiver, stand-
ing at the bar of Truth, and in accordance with the divine
statutes, I repudiate the false testimony of Personal Sense.
I ask that he be forbidden to enter against Mortal Man
any more suits to be tried at the Court of Material Error.
I appeal to the just and equitable decisions of divine Spirit
to restore to Mortal Man the rights of which he has been
deprived.
Charge of the Chief Justice
440:33
Here the counsel for the defence closed, and the Chief
Here the counsel for the defence closed, and the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court, with benign and imposing
441:1
presence, comprehending and defining all law and evi-
presence, comprehending and defining all law and evi-
dence, explained from his statute-book, the
Bible, that any so-called law, which under-
takes to punish aught but sin, is null and void.
441:5
He also decided that the plaintiff, Personal Sense, be
He also decided that the plaintiff, Personal Sense, be
not permitted to enter any suits at the bar of Soul, but
be enjoined to keep perpetual silence, and in case of
temptation, to give heavy bonds for good behavior. He
concluded his charge thus: –
441:10
The plea of False Belief we deem unworthy of a hearing.
The plea of False Belief we deem unworthy of a hearing.
Let what False Belief utters, now and forever, fall into
oblivion, "unknelled, uncoffined, and unknown." Accord-
ing to our statute, Material Law is a liar who cannot bear
witness against Mortal Man, neither can Fear arrest Mortal
Man nor can Disease cast him into prison. Our law refuses
to recognize Man as sick or dying, but holds him to be for-
ever in the image and likeness of his Maker. Reversing the
testimony of Personal Sense and the decrees of the Court of
Error in favor of Matter, Spirit decides in favor of Man
and against Matter. We further recommend that Materia
Medica adopt Christian Science and that Health-laws,
Mesmerism, Hypnotism, Oriental Witchcraft, and Esoteric
Magic be publicly executed at the hands of our sheriff,
Progress.
441:25
The Supreme Bench decides in favor of intelligence, that
The Supreme Bench decides in favor of intelligence, that
no law outside of divine Mind can punish or reward Mortal
Man. Your personal jurors in the Court of Error are
myths. Your attorney, False Belief, is an impostor, per-
suading Mortal Minds to return a verdict contrary to law
and gospel. The plaintiff, Personal Sense, is recorded in
our Book of books as a liar. Our great Teacher of mental
jurisprudence speaks of him also as "a murderer from the
beginning." We have no trials for sickness before the tri-