Chapter V - Animal Magnetism Unmasked
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