Chapter IV - Christian Science Versus Spiritualism
Trance speaking illusion
89:1
can tell what the unaided medium is incapable of know-
can tell what the unaided medium is incapable of know-
ing or uttering? This phenomenon only shows that the
beliefs of mortal mind are loosed. Forgetting her igno-
rance in the belief that another mind is speaking through
her, the devotee may become unwontedly eloquent. Hav-
ing more faith in others than in herself, and believing
that somebody else possesses her tongue and mind, she
talks freely.
89:9
Destroy her belief in outside aid, and her eloquence
Destroy her belief in outside aid, and her eloquence
disappears. The former limits of her belief return. She
says, "I am incapable of words that glow, for I am un-
educated." This familiar instance reaffirms the Scrip-
tural word concerning a man, "As he thinketh in his heart,
so is he." If one believes that he cannot be an orator with-
out study or a superinduced condition, the body responds
to this belief, and the tongue grows mute which before
was eloquent.
Scientific improvisation
89:18
Mind is not necessarily dependent upon educational
Mind is not necessarily dependent upon educational
processes. It possesses of itself all beauty and poetry,
and the power of expressing them. Spirit,
God, is heard when the senses are silent. We
are all capable of more than we do. The influence or
action of Soul confers a freedom, which explains the phe-
nomena of improvisation and the fervor of untutored lips.
Divine origination
89:25
Matter is neither intelligent nor creative. The tree is
Matter is neither intelligent nor creative. The tree is
not the author of itself. Sound is not the originator of
music, and man is not the father of man. Cain
very naturally concluded that if life was in the
body, and man gave it, man had the right to take it away.
This incident shows that the belief of life in matter was
"a murderer from the beginning."
89:32
If seed is necessary to produce wheat, and wheat to
If seed is necessary to produce wheat, and wheat to
90:1
produce flour, or if one animal can originate another,
produce flour, or if one animal can originate another,
how then can we account for their primal origin? How
were the loaves and fishes multiplied on the shores of
Galilee, – and that, too, without meal or monad from
which loaf or fish could come?
Mind is substance
90:6
The earth's orbit and the imaginary line called the
The earth's orbit and the imaginary line called the
equator are not substance. The earth's motion and
position are sustained by Mind alone. Divest
yourself of the thought that there can be sub-
stance in matter, and the movements and transitions now
possible for mortal mind will be found to be equally
possible for the body. Then being will be recognized
as spiritual, and death will be obsolete, though now
some insist that death is the necessary prelude to
immortality.
Mortal delusions
90:16
In dreams we fly to Europe and meet a far-off friend.
In dreams we fly to Europe and meet a far-off friend.
The looker-on sees the body in bed, but the supposed
inhabitant of that body carries it through
the air and over the ocean. This shows the
possibilities of thought. Opium and hashish eaters men-
tally travel far and work wonders, yet their bodies stay
in one place. This shows what mortal mentality and
knowledge are.
Scientific finalities
90:24
The admission to one's self that man is God's own like-
The admission to one's self that man is God's own like-
ness sets man free to master the infinite idea. This con-
viction shuts the door on death, and opens it
wide towards immortality. The understanding
and recognition of Spirit must finally come, and we may
as well improve our time in solving the mysteries of being
through an apprehension of divine Principle. At present
we know not what man is, but we certainly shall know
this when man reflects God.