Chapter VI - Science, Theology, Medicine
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should address himself to the work of destroying it through
should address himself to the work of destroying it through
the power of the divine Mind.
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The systems of physics act against metaphysics, and
The systems of physics act against metaphysics, and
vice versa. When mortals forsake the material for the
spiritual basis of action, drugs lose their healing force,
for they have no innate power. Unsupported by the
faith reposed in it, the inanimate drug becomes
powerless.
Obedient muscles
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The motion of the arm is no more dependent upon the
The motion of the arm is no more dependent upon the
direction of mortal mind, than are the organic action and
secretion of the viscera. When this so-called
mind quits the body, the heart becomes as tor-
pid as the hand.
Anatomy and mind
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Anatomy finds a necessity for nerves to convey the man-
Anatomy finds a necessity for nerves to convey the man-
date of mind to muscle and so cause action; but what does
anatomy say when the cords contract and be-
come immovable? Has mortal mind ceased
speaking to them, or has it bidden them to be impotent?
Can muscles, bones, blood, and nerves rebel against mind
in one instance and not in another, and become cramped
despite the mental protest?
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Unless muscles are self-acting at all times, they are
Unless muscles are self-acting at all times, they are
never so, – never capable of acting contrary to mental
direction. If muscles can cease to act and become rigid
of their own preference, – be deformed or symmetrical,
as they please or as disease directs, – they must be self‑
directing. Why then consult anatomy to learn how mor-
tal mind governs muscle, if we are only to learn from
anatomy that muscle is not so governed?
Mind over matter
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Is man a material fungus without Mind
Is man a material fungus without Mind
to help him? Is a stiff joint or a contracted
muscle as much a result of law as the supple and
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elastic condition of the healthy limb, and is God the
elastic condition of the healthy limb, and is God the
lawgiver?
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You say, "I have burned my finger." This is an
You say, "I have burned my finger." This is an
exact statement, more exact than you suppose; for mor-
tal mind, and not matter, burns it. Holy inspiration
has created states of mind which have been able to nullify
the action of the flames, as in the Bible case of the three
young Hebrew captives, cast into the Babylonian furnace;
while an opposite mental state might produce spontaneous
combustion.
Restrictive regulations
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In 1880, Massachusetts put her foot on a proposed
In 1880, Massachusetts put her foot on a proposed
tyrannical law, restricting the practice of medicine. If
her sister States follow this example in har-
mony with our Constitution and Bill of Rights,
they will do less violence to that immortal sentiment of the
Declaration, "Man is endowed by his Maker with certain
inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness."
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The oppressive state statutes touching medicine re-
The oppressive state statutes touching medicine re-
mind one of the words of the famous Madame Roland,
as she knelt before a statue of Liberty, erected near the
guillotine: "Liberty, what crimes are committed in thy
name!"
Metaphysics challenges physics
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The ordinary practitioner, examining bodily symptoms,
The ordinary practitioner, examining bodily symptoms,
telling the patient that he is sick, and treating the case ac-
cording to his physical diagnosis, would natu-
rally induce the very disease he is trying to cure,
even if it were not already determined by mor-
tal mind. Such unconscious mistakes would not occur, if
this old class of philanthropists looked as deeply for cause
and effect into mind as into matter. The physician agrees
with his "adversary quickly," but upon different terms