按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
one of a series； but one alone and without an equal。〃
〃These are noble thoughts。 They make one burn to know more。 How does
Christian Science explain the spiritual relation of systematic duality to
incidental deflection？〃
〃Christian Science reverses the seeming relation of Soul and bodyas
astronomy reverses the human perception of the movement of the solar
systemand makes body tributary to the Mind。 As it is the earth which
is in motion； While the sun is at rest； though in viewing the sun rise
one finds it impossible to believe the sun not to be really rising； so
the body is but the humble servant of the restful Mind； though it seems
otherwise to finite sense； but we shall never understand this while we
admit that soul is in body； or mind in matter； and that man is included
in non…intelligence。 Soul is God； unchangeable and eternal； and man
coexists with and reflects Soul； for the All…in…all is the Altogether；
and the Altogether embraces the All…one； Soul…Mind； Mind…Soul； Love；
Spirit； Bones； Liver； one of a series； alone and without an equal。〃
〃What is the origin of Christian Science？ Is it a gift of God； or did it
just happen？〃
〃In a sense； it is a gift of God。 That is to say； its powers are from
Him； but the credit of the discovery of the powers and what they are for
is due to an American lady。〃
〃Indeed？ When did this occur？〃
〃In 1866。 That is the immortal date when pain and disease and death
disappeared from the earth to return no more forever。 That is； the
fancies for which those terms stand disappeared。 The things themselves
had never existed； therefore； as soon as it was perceived that there were
no such things； they were easily banished。 The history and nature of the
great discovery are set down in the book here； and〃
〃Did the lady write the book？〃
〃Yes； she wrote it all； herself。 The title is Science and Health； with
Key to the Scriptures for she explains the Scriptures； they were not
understood before。 Not even by the twelve Disciples。 She begins thus
I will read it to you。〃
But she had forgotten to bring her glasses。
〃Well； it is no matter；〃 she said。 〃I remember the wordsindeed； all
Christian Scientists know the book by heart； it is necessary in our
practice。 We should otherwise make mistakes and do harm。 She begins
thus： ' In the year 1866 I discovered the Science of Metaphysical
Healing； and named it Christian Science。' And She says quite beautifully；
I think' Through Christian Science； religion and medicine are inspired
with a diviner nature and essence； fresh pinions are given to faith and
understanding； and thoughts acquaint themselves intelligently with God。'
Her very words。〃
〃It is elegant。 And it is a fine thought； toomarrying religion to
medicine； instead of medicine to the undertaker in the old way； for
religion and medicine properly belong together； they being the basis of
all spiritual and physical health。 What kind of medicine do you give for
the ordinary diseases； such as〃
〃We never give medicine in any circumstances whatever！ We〃
〃But； madam； it says〃
〃I don't care what it says； and I don't wish to talk about it。〃
〃I am sorry if I have offended； but you see the mention seemed in some
way inconsistent； and〃
〃There are no inconsistencies in Christian Science。 The thing is
impossible； for the Science is absolute。 It cannot be otherwise； since
it proceeds directly from the All…in…all and the Everything…in…Which；
also Soul； Bones； Truth； one of a series； alone and without equal。 It is
Mathematics purified from material dross and made spiritual。〃
〃I can see that； but〃
〃It rests upon the immovable basis of an Apodictical Principle。〃
The word flattened itself against my mind in trying to get in； and
disordered me a little； and before I could inquire into its pertinency；
she was already throwing the needed light：
〃This Apodictical Principle is the absolute Principle of Scientific Mind…
healing； the sovereign Omnipotence which delivers the children of men
from pain； disease； decay； and every ill that flesh is heir to。〃
〃Surely not every ill； every decay？〃
〃Every one； there are no exceptions； there is no such thing as decayit
is an unreality； it has no existence。〃
〃But without your glasses your failing eyesight does not permit you to〃
〃My eyesight cannot fail； nothing can fail； the Mind is master； and the
Mind permits no retrogression。〃
She was under the inspiration of the Third Degree； therefore there could
be no profit in continuing this part of the subject。 I shifted to other
ground and inquired further concerning the Discoverer of the Science。
〃Did the discovery come suddenly； like Klondike； or after long study and
calculation； like America？〃
〃The comparisons are not respectful； since they refer to trivialities
but let it pass。 I will answer in the Discoverer's own words： 'God had
been graciously fitting me； during many years； for the reception of a
final revelation of the absolute Principle of Scientific Mind…healing。〃
〃Many years。 How many？〃
〃Eighteen centuries！〃
〃AllGod； Godgood； goodGod； Truth； Bones； Liver； one of a series；
alone and without equalit is amazing！〃
〃You may well say it； sir。 Yet it is but the truth This American lady；
our revered and sacred Founder； is distinctly referred to； and her coming
prophesied； in the twelfth chapter of the Apocalypse； she could not have
been more plainly indicated by St。 John without actually mentioning her
name。〃
〃How strange； how wonderful！〃
〃I will quote her own words； from her Key to the Scriptures： 'The twelfth
chapter of the Apocalypse has a special suggestiveness in connection with
this nineteenth century。' Theredo you note that？ Thinknote it well。〃
〃Butwhat does it mean？〃
〃Listen； and you will know。 I quote her inspired words again： 'In the
opening of the Sixth Seal； typical of six thousand years since Adam；
there is one distinctive feature which has special reference to the
present age。 Thus：
〃'Revelation xii。 I。 And there appeared a great wonder in heavena
woman clothed with the sun； and the moon under her feet； and upon her
head a crown of twelve stars。'
〃That is our Head； our Chief； our Discoverer of Christian Science
nothing can be plainer； nothing surer。 And note this：
〃'Revelation xii。 6。 And the woman fled into the wilderness； where she
had a place prepared of God。'
〃That is Boston。 I recognize it； madam。 These are sublime things； and
impressive； I never understood these passages before； please go on with
thewith theproofs。〃
〃Very well。 Listen：
〃'And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven； clothed with a
cloud； and a rainbow was upon his head； and his face was as it were the
sun； and his feet as pillars of fire。 And he held in his hand a little
book。'
〃A little book； merely a little bookcould words be modester？ Yet how
stupendous its importance！ Do you know what book that was？〃
〃Was it〃
〃I hold it in my handChristian Science！〃
〃Love； Livers； Lights； Bones； Truth； Kidneys； one of a series； alone and
without equal it is beyond imagination for wonder！〃
〃Hear our Founder's eloquent words： 'Then w