Chapter XII - Christian Science Practice
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.
431:25
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.