christian science-第40章
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the disciples; recorded in the Gospel according to St。 John; affirms the
same expectation on the part of Jesus; emphasizing it in His solemn way:
〃Verily; verily; I say unto you; He that believeth on Me; the works that
I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do。〃
APPENDIX F
Few will deny that an intelligence apart from man formed and governs the
spiritual universe and man; and this intelligence is the eternal Mind;
and neither matter nor man created this intelligence and divine
Principle; nor can this Principle produce aught unlike itself。 All that
we term sin; sickness; and death is comprised in the belief of matter。
The realm of the real is spiritual; the opposite of Spirit is matter; and
the opposite of the real is unreal or material。 Matter is an error of
statement; for there is no matter。 This error of premises leads to error
of conclusion in every statement of matter as a basis。 Nothing we can
say or believe regarding matter is true; except that matter is unreal;
simply a belief that has its beginning and ending。
The conservative firm called matter and mind God never formed。 The
unerring and eternal Mind destroys this imaginary copartnership; formed
only to be dissolved in a manner and at a period unknown。 This
copartnership is obsolete。 Placed under the microscope of metaphysics
matter disappears。 Only by understanding there are not two; matter and
mind; is a logical and correct conclusion obtained by either one。
Science gathers not grapes of thorns or figs of thistles。 Intelligence
never produced non…intelligence; such as matter: the immortal never
produced mortality; good never resulted in evil。 The science of Mind
shows conclusively that matter is a myth。 Metaphysics are above physics;
and drag not matter; or what is termed that; into one of its premises or
conclusions。 Metaphysics resolves things into thoughts; and exchanges
the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul。 These ideas are perfectly
tangible and real to consciousness; and they have this advantage they
are eternal。 Mind and its thoughts comprise the whole of God; the
universe; and of man。 Reason and revelation coincide with this
statement; and support its proof every hour; for nothing is harmonious or
eternal that is not spiritual: the realization of this will bring out
objects from a higher source of thought; hence more beautiful and
immortal。
The fact of spiritualization produces results in striking contrast to the
farce of materialization: the one produces the results of chastity and
purity; the other the downward tendencies and earthward gravitation of
sensualism and impurity。
The exalting and healing effects of metaphysics show their fountain。
Nothing in pathology has exceeded the application of metaphysics。
Through mind alone we have prevented disease and preserved health。 In
cases of chronic and acute diseases; in their severest forms; we have
changed the secretions; renewed structure; and restored health; have
elongated shortened limbs; relaxed rigid muscles; made cicatrized joints
supple; restored carious bones to healthy conditions; renewed that which
is termed the lost substance of the lungs; and restored healthy
organizations where disease was organic instead of functional。
MRS。 EDDY IN ERROR
I feel almost sure that Mrs。 Eddy's inspirationworks are getting out of
repair。 I think so because they made some errors in a statement which
she uttered through the press on the 17th of January。 Not large ones;
perhaps; still it is a friend's duty to straighten such things out and
get them right when he can。 Therefore I will put my other duties aside
for a moment and undertake this helpful service。 She said as follows:
〃In view of the circulation of certain criticisms from the pen of Mark
Twain; I submit the following statement:
〃It is a fact; well understood; that I begged the students who first gave
me the endearing appellative 'mother' not to name me thus。 But; without
my consent; that word spread like wildfire。 I still must think the name
is not applicable to me。 I stand in relation to this century as a
Christian discoverer; founder; and leader。 I regard self…deification as
blasphemous; I may be more loved; but I am less lauded; pampered;
provided for; and cheered than others before meand wherefore? Because
Christian Science is not yet popular; and I refuse adulation。
〃My visit to the Mother…Church after it was built and dedicated pleased
me; and the situation was satisfactory。 The dear members wanted to greet
me with escort and the ringing of bells; but I declined; and went alone
in my carriage to the church; entered it; and knelt in thanks upon the
steps of its altar。 There the foresplendor of the beginnings of truth
fell mysteriously upon my spirit。 I believe in one Christ; teach one
Christ; know of but one Christ。 I believe in but one incarnation; one
Mother Mary; and know I am not that one; and never claimed to be。 It
suffices me to learn the Science of the Scriptures relative to this
subject。
〃Christian Scientists have no quarrel with Protestants; Catholics; or any
other sect。 They need to be understood as following the divine Principle
God; Love and not imagined to be unscientific worshippers of a human
being。
〃In the aforesaid article; of which I have seen only extracts; Mark
Twain's wit was not wasted In certain directions。 Christian Science
eschews divine rights in human beings。 If the individual governed human
consciousness; my statement of Christian Science would be disproved; but
to understand the spiritual idea is essential to demonstrate Science and
its pure monotheismone God; one Christ; no idolatry; no human
propaganda。 Jesus taught and proved that what feeds a few feeds all。
His life…work subordinated the material to the spiritual; and He left
this legacy of truth to mankind。 His metaphysics is not the sport of
philosophy; religion; or Science; rather it is the pith and finale of
them all。
〃I have not the inspiration or aspiration to be a first or second Virgin…
Motherher duplicate; antecedent; or subsequent。 What I am remains to
be proved by the good I do。 We need much humility; wisdom; and love to
perform the functions of foreshadowing and foretasting heaven within us。
This glory is molten in the furnace of affliction。〃
She still thinks the name of Our Mother not applicable to her; and she is
also able to remember that it distressed her when it was conferred upon
her; and that she begged to have it suppressed。 Her memory is at fault
here。 If she will take her By…laws; and refer to Section 1 of Article
XXII。; written with her own handshe will find that she has reserved
that title to herself; and is so pleased with it; and somay we say
jealous?about it; that she threatens with excommunication any sister
Scientist who shall call herself by it。 This is that Section 1:
〃The Title of Mother。 In the year 1895 loyal Christian Scientists had
given to the author of their text…book; the Founder of Christian Science;
the individual; endearing term of Mother。 Therefore; if a student of
Christian Science shall apply this title; either to herself or to others;
except as the term for kinship according to the flesh; it shall be
regarded by the Church as an indication of disrespect for their Pastor
Emeritus; and unfitness to be a member of the Mother…Church。〃
Mrs。 Eddy is herself the Mother…Churchits powers and authorities are in
her possession solely and she can abolish that title whenever it may
please her to do so。 She has only to command her people; wherever they
may be in the earth; to use it no more; and it will never be uttered
again。 She is aware of this。
It may be that she 〃refuses adulation〃 when she is not awake; but when
she is awake she encourages it and propagates it in that museum called
〃Our Mother's Room;〃 in her Church in Boston。 She could abolish that
institution with a word; if she wanted to。 She is aware of that。 I will
say a further word about the museum presently。
Further down the column; her memory is unfaithful again:
〃I believe in 。 。 。 but one Mother Mary; and know I am not that one;
and ne