Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896 Part 74
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learning,-letter without law, gospel, or demonstration, [1]
-have no place in Christian Science. This Science re- quires man to be honest, just, pure; to love his neighbor as himself, and to love G.o.d supremely.
Matter and evil are subjective states of error or mortal [5]
mind. But Mind is immortal; and the fact of there being no mortal mind, exposes the lie of suppositional evil, showing that error is not Mind, substance, or Life. Thus, whatever is wrongfully-minded will dis- appear in the proportion that Science is understood, [10]
and the reality of being-goodness and harmony-is demonstrated.
Error says that knowing all things implies the neces- sity of knowing evil, that it dishonors G.o.d to claim that He is ignorant of anything; but G.o.d says of this fruit [15]
of the tree of knowledge of _both_ good and evil, "In the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." If G.o.d is infinite good, He knows nothing but good; if He did know aught else, He would not be infinite. Infinite Mind knows nothing beyond Himself or Herself. To [20]
good, evil is never present; for evil is a different state of consciousness. It was not against evil, but against _know-_ _ing_ evil, that G.o.d forewarned. He dwelleth in light; and in the light He sees light, and cannot see darkness.
The opposite conclusion, that darkness dwelleth in light, [25]
has neither precedent nor foundation in nature, in logic, or in the character of Christ.
The senses would say that whatever saves from sin, must know sin. Truth replies that G.o.d is too pure to behold iniquity; and by virtue of His ignorance of [30]
that which is not, He knoweth that which _is_, and abideth in Himself, the only Life, Truth, and Love,
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-and is reflected by a universe in His own image [1]
and likeness.
Even so, Father, let the light that shineth in dark- ness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not, dispel this illusion of the senses, open the eyes of the blind, and cause [5]
the deaf to hear.
"Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne.
Yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind the dim unknown, Standeth G.o.d within the shadow, keeping watch above His own."
LOWELL
"Take Heed!"
We regret to be obliged to say that all are not meta- physicians, or Christian Scientists, who call themselves so. Charlatanism, fraud, and malice are getting into the ranks of the good and pure, sending forth a poison [15]
more deadly than the upas-tree in the eastern archi- pelago. This evil obtains in the present false teaching and false practice of the Science of treating disease through Mind. The silent address of a mental malpract.i.tioner can only be portrayed in these words of the apostle, [20]
"whisperers," and "the poison of asps is under their tongue."
Some of the mere puppets of the hour are playing only for money, and at a fearful stake. Others, from malice and envy, are working out the destinies of the [25]
d.a.m.ned. But while the best, perverted, on the mortal plane may become the worst, let us not forget that the Lord reigns, and that this earth shall some time rejoice in His supreme rule,-that the tired watchmen on the
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walls of Zion, and the true Christian Scientist at the foot [1]
of the mount of revelation, shall look up with shouts and thanksgiving,-that G.o.d's law, as in divine Science, shall be finally understood; and the gospel of glad tidings bring "on earth peace, good will toward men." [5]
The Cry Of Christmas-Tide
Metaphysics, not physics, enables us to stand erect on sublime heights, surveying the immeasurable universe of Mind, peering into the cause which governs all effects, while we are strong in the unity of G.o.d and man. There [10]
is "method" in the "madness" of this system,-since madness it seems to many onlookers. This method sits serene at the portals of the temple of thought, while the leaders of materialistic schools indulge in mad antics. Metaphysical healing seeks a wisdom that is [15]
higher than a rhubarb tincture or an ipecacuanha pill.
This method is devout enough to trust Christ more than it does drugs.
Meekly we kneel at our Master's feet, for even a crumb that falleth from his table. We are hungry for Love, [20]
for the white-winged charity that heals and saves; we are tired of theoretic husks,-as tired as was the prodi- gal son of the carobs which he shared with the swine, to whom he fed that wholesome but unattractive food.
Like him, we would find our Father's house again- [25]
the perfect and eternal Principle of man. We thirst for inspiring wine from the vine which our Father tends.
We crave the privilege of saying to the sick, when their
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feebleness calls for help, "Rise and walk." We rejoice [1]
to say, in the spirit of our Master, "Stretch forth thy hand, and be whole!"
When the Pharisees saw Jesus do such deeds of mercy, they went away and took counsel how they might remove [5]
him. The antagonistic spirit of evil is still abroad; but the greater spirit of Christ is also abroad,-risen from the grave-clothes of tradition and the cave of ignorance.
Let the sentinels of Zion's watch-towers shout once again, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is [10]
given."
In different ages the divine idea a.s.sumes different forms, according to humanity's needs. In this age it a.s.sumes, more intelligently than ever before, the form of Christian healing. This is the babe we are to cherish. [15]
This is the babe that twines its loving arms about the neck of omnipotence, and calls forth infinite care from His loving heart.
Blind Leaders
What figure is less favorable than a wolf in sheep's [20]
clothing? The braying donkey whose ears stick out is less troublesome. What manner of man is it that has discovered an improvement on Christian Science, a "met- aphysical healing" by which error destroys error, and would gather all sorts into a "national convention" by [25]
the sophistry that such is the true fold for Christian heal- ers, since the good shepherd cares for all?
Yes; the _good_ Shepherd does care for all, and His first care is to separate the sheep from the goats; and
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this is among the first lessons on healing taught by our [1]
great Master.
If, as the gentleman aforesaid states, large flocks of metaphysicians are wandering about without a leader, what has opened his eyes to see the need of taking them [5]
out of the care of the great Shepherd, and behold the remedy, to help them by his own leadership? Is it that he can guide Christian Scientists better than they, through the guidance of our common Father, can guide them- selves? or is it that they are incapable of helping them- [10]
selves thus?
I as their teacher can say, They know far more of Christian Science than he who deprecates their condition appears to, and my heart pleads for them to possess more and more of Truth and Love; but mixing all grades [15]