Itisamereplain,simplefact——asclearandascertainasthateightandsevenmakefifteen。Andbyitwerecognizethatweareallinsane,asconcernsthosematters。Ifweweresane,weshouldallseeapoliticalorreligiousdoctrinealike;therewouldbenodispute:itwouldbeacaseofeightandseven——justasitisinheaven,whereallaresaneandnoneinsane。Therethereisbutonereligion,onebelief;
theharmonyisperfect;thereisneveradiscordantnote。
Underprotectionofthesepreliminaries,IsupposeImaynowrepeatwithoutoffencethattheChristianScientistisinsane。Imeanhimnodiscourtesy,andIamnotcharging——norevenimagining——thatheisinsanerthantherestofthehumanrace。Ithinkheismorepicturesquelyinsanethansomeofus。Atthesametime,Iamquitesurethatinoneimportantandsplendidparticularheismuchsanerthanisthevastbulkoftherace。
Whyisheinsane?Itoldyoubefore:itisbecausehisopinionsarenotours。Iknowofnootherreason,andIdonotneedanyother;itistheonlywaywehaveofdiscoveringinsanitywhenitisnotviolent。Itismerelythepicturesquenessofhisinsanitythatmakesitmoreinterestingthanmykindoryours。Forinstance,considerhis\"littlebook\";the\"littlebook\"exposedintheskyeighteencenturiesagobytheflamingangeloftheApocalypse,andhandeddowninourdaytoMrs。MaryBakerG。
Eddy,ofNewHampshire,andtranslatedbyher,wordforword,intoEnglish(withhelpofapolisher),andnowpublishedanddistributedinhundredsofeditionsbyherataclearprofitpervolume,abovecost,ofsevenhundredpercent。!——aprofitwhichdistinctlybelongstotheangeloftheApocalypse,andlethimcollectitifhecan;a\"littlebook\"
whichtheC。S。veryfrequentlycallsbyjustthatname,andalwaysenclosedinquotation-markstokeepitshighoriginexultantlyinmind;a\"littlebook\"which\"explains\"andreconstructsandnew-paintsanddecoratestheBible,andputsamansardroofonitandalightning-rodandalltheothermodernimprovements;a\"littlebook\"whichforthepresentaffectstotravelinyokewiththeBibleandbefriendlytoit,andwithinhalfacenturywillhitchtheBibleintherearandthenceforthtraveltandem,itselfinthelead,inthecominggreatmarchofChristianScientismthroughtheProtestantdominionsoftheplanet。
CHAPTERVI
\"HungryonesthrongtoheartheBiblereadinconnectionwiththetext-
bookofChristianScience,ScienceandHealth,withKeytotheScriptures,byMaryBakerG。Eddy。Theseareouronlypreachers。TheyarethewordofGod。\"ChristianScienceJournal\",October,1898。
Isthatpicturesque?AladyhastoldmethatinachapeloftheMosqueinBostonthereisapictureorimageofMrs。Eddy,andthatbeforeitburnsanever-extinguishedlight。Isthatpicturesque?HowlongdoyouthinkitwillbebeforetheChristianScientistwillbeworshippingthatpictureorimageandprayingtoit?HowlongdoyouthinkitwillbebeforeitisclaimedthatMrs。EddyisaRedeemer,aChrist,andChrist\'sequal?Alreadyherarmyofdisciplesspeakofherreverentlyas\"OurMother。\"
HowlongwillitbebeforetheyplaceheronthestepsoftheThronebesidetheVirgin——and,later,astephigher?First,MarytheVirginandMarytheMatron;later,withachangeofprecedence,MarytheMatronandMarytheVirgin。Lettheartistgetreadywithhiscanvasandhisbrushes;thenewRenaissanceisonitsway,andtherewillbemoneyinaltar-canvases——athousandtimesasmuchasthePopesandtheirChurcheverspentontheOldMasters;fortheirricheswerepovertyascomparedwithwhatisgoingtopourintothetreasure-chestoftheChristian-
ScientistPapacyby-and-by,letusnotdoubtit。Wewillexaminethefinancialoutlookpresentlyandseewhatitpromises。AfavoritesubjectofthenewOldMasterwillbethefirstverseofthetwelfthchapterofRevelation——aversewhichMrs。Eddysays(inherAnnextotheScriptures)
has\"onedistinctivefeaturewhichhasspecialreferencetothepresentage\"——andtoher,asisratherpointedlyindicated:
\"Andthereappearedagreatwonderinheaven;awomanclothedwiththesun,andthemoonunderherfeet,\"etc。
ThewomanclothedwiththesunwillbeaportraitofMrs。Eddy。
IsitinsanitytobelievethatChristianScientismisdestinedtomakethemostformidableshowthatanynewreligionhasmadeintheworldsincethebirthandspreadofMobammedanism,andthatwithinacenturyfromnowitmaystandsecondtoRomeonly,innumbersandpowerinChristendom?
Ifthisisawilddreamitwillnotbeeasytoproveitsojustyet,I
think。Thereseemsargumentthatitmaycometrue。TheChristian-
Science\"boom,\"proper,isnotyetfiveyearsold;yetalreadyithastwohundredandfiftychurches。
Ithasitsstart,yousee,anditisaphenomenallygoodone。Moreover,itislatterlyspreadingwithaconstantlyacceleratingswiftness。Ithasabetterchancetogrowandprosperandachievepermanencythananyotherexisting\"ism\";forithasmoretoofferthananyother。Thepastteachesusthatinordertosucceed,amovementlikethismustnotbeamerephilosophy,itmustbeareligion;also,thatitmustnotclaimentireoriginality,butcontentitselfwithpassingforanimprovementonanexistingreligion,andshowitshandlater,whenstrongandprosperous——likeMohammedanism。
Next,theremustbemoney——andplentyofit。
Next,thepowerandauthorityandcapitalmustbeconcentratedinthegripofasmallandirresponsibleclique,withnobodyoutsideprivilegedtoaskquestionsorfindfault。
Next,asbeforeremarked,itmustbaititshookwithsomenewandattractiveadvantagesoverthebaitsofferedbyitscompetitors。Anewmovementequippedwithsomeoftheseendowments——likespiritualism,forinstancemaycountuponaconsiderablesuccess;anewmovementequippedwiththebulkofthem——likeMohammedanism,forinstance——maycountuponawidelyextendedconquest。Mormonismhadalltherequisitesbutoneithadnothingnewandnothingvaluabletobaitwith。Spiritualismlackedtheimportantdetailofconcentrationofmoneyandauthorityinthehandsofanirresponsibleclique。
Theaboveequipmentisexcellent,admirable,powerful,butnotperfect。
Thereisyetanotherdetailwhichisworththewholeofitputtogetherandmore;adetailwhichhasneverbeenjoined(inthebeginningofareligiousmovement)toasupremelygoodworkingequipmentsincetheworldbegan,untilnow:anewpersonagetoworship。ChristianityhadtheSaviour,butatfirstandforgenerationsitlackedmoneyandconcentratedpower。InMrs。Eddy,ChristianSciencepossessesthenewpersonageforworship,andinaddition——hereintheverybeginning——aworkingequipmentthathasnotaflawinit。Inthebeginning,Mohammedanismhadnomoney;andithasneverhadanythingtoofferitsclientbutheaven——nothingherebelowthatwasvaluable。Inadditiontoheavenhereafter,ChristianSciencehaspresenthealthandacheerfulspirittooffer;andincomparisonwiththisbribeallotherthis-worldbribesarepoorandcheap。Yourecognizethatthisestimateisadmissible,doyounot?
TowhomdoesBellamy\'s\"Nationalism\"appeal?Necessarilytothefew:
peoplewhoreadanddream,andarecompassionate,andtroubledforthepoorandthehard-driven。TowhomdoesSpiritualismappeal?Necessarilytothefew;its\"boom\"haslastedforhalfacentury,andIbelieveitclaimsshortoffourmillionsofadherentsinAmerica。WhoareattractedbySwedenborgianismandsomeoftheotherfineanddelicate\"isms\"?Thefewagain:educatedpeople,sensitivelyorganized,withsuperiormentalendowments,whoseekloftyplanesofthoughtandfindtheircontentmentthere。AndwhoareattractedbyChristianScience?Thereisnolimit;
itsfieldishorizonless;itsappealisasuniversalasistheappealofChristianityitself。Itappealstotherich,thepoor,thehigh,thelow,thecultured,theignorant,thegifted,thestupid,themodest,thevain,thewise,thesilly,thesoldier,thecivilian,thehero,thecoward,theidler,theworker,thegodly,thegodless,thefreeman,theslave,theadult,thechild;theywhoareailinginbodyormind,theywhohavefriendsthatareailinginbodyormind。Tomassitinaphrase,itsclientageistheHumanRace。Willitmarch?Ithinkso。
Rememberitsprincipalgreatoffer:toridtheRaceofpainanddisease。
Canitdoso?Inlargemeasure,yes。Howmuchofthepainanddiseaseintheworldiscreatedbytheimaginationsofthesufferers,andthenkeptalivebythosesameimaginations?Four-fifths?Notanythingshortofthat,Ishouldthink。CanChristianSciencebanishthatfour-fifths?
Ithinkso。Cananyother(organized)forcedoit?NonethatIknowof。
Wouldthisbeanewworldwhenthatwasaccomplished?Andapleasanterone——foruswellpeople,aswellasforthosefussyandfrettingsickones?Woulditseemasiftherewasnotasmuchgloomyweatherasthereusedtobe?Ithinkso。
Inthemeantime,wouldtheScientistkilloffagoodmanypatients?I
thinkso。Morethangetkilledoffnowbythelegalizedmethods?I
willtakeupthatquestionpresently。
Atpresent,IwishtoaskyoutoexaminesomeoftheScientist\'sperformances,asregisteredinhismagazine,TheChristianScienceJournal——Octobernumber,1898。First,aBaptistclergymangivesusthistruepictureof\"theaverageorthodoxChristian\"——andhecouldhaveaddedthatitisatruepictureoftheaverage(civilized)humanbeing:
\"Heisaworriedandfrettedandfearfulman;afraidofhimselfandhispropensities,afraidofcoldsandfevers,afraidoftreadingonserpentsordrinkingdeadlythings。\"
Thenhegivesusthiscontrast:
\"TheaverageChristianScientisthasputallanxietyandfrettingunderhisfeet。HedoeshaveavictoryoverfearandcarethatisnotachievedbytheaverageorthodoxChristian。\"
Hehasputallanxietyandfrettingunderhisfeet。Whatproportionofyourearningsorincomewouldyoubewillingtopayforthatframeofmind,yearin,yearout?Itreallyoutvaluesanypricethatcanbeputuponit。Wherecanyoupurchaseit,atanyoutlayofanysort,inanyChurchoroutofit,excepttheScientist\'s?
Well,itistheanxietyandfrettingaboutcolds,andfevers,anddraughts,andgettingourfeetwet,andaboutforbiddenfoodeateninterrorofindigestion,thatbringsonthecoldandthefeverandtheindigestionandthemostofourotherailments;andso,iftheSciencecanbanishthatanxietyfromtheworldIthinkitcanreducetheworld\'sdiseaseandpainaboutfour-fifths。
InthisOctobernumbermanyoftheredeemedtestifyandgivethanks;andnotcoldly,butwithpassionategratitude。Asaruletheyseemdrunkwithhealth,andwiththesurpriseofit,thewonderofit,theunspeakablegloryandsplendorofit,afteralong,soberspellspentininventingimaginarydiseasesandconcretingthemwithdoctor-stuff。Thefirstwitnesstestifiesthatwhen\"thismostbeautifulTruthfirstdawnedonhim\"hehad\"nearlyalltheillsthatfleshisheirto\";thatthosehedidnothavehethoughthehad——andthismadethetaleaboutcomplete。
Whatwasthenaturalresult?Why,hewasadump-pit\"forallthedoctors,druggists,andpatentmedicinesofthecountry。\"ChristianSciencecametohishelp,and\"theoldsickconditionspassedaway,\"andalongwiththemthe\"dismalforebodings\"whichhehadbeenaccustomedtoemployinconjuringupailments。Andsohewasahealthyandcheerfulman,now,andastonished。
ButIamnotastonished,forfromothersourcesIknowwhatmusthavebeenhismethodofapplyingChristianScience。IfIamintheright,hewatchfullyanddiligentlydivertedhismindfromunhealthychannelsandcompelledittotravelinhealthyones。Nothingcontrivablebyhumaninventioncouldbemoreformidablyeffectivethanthat,inbanishingimaginaryailmentsandinclosingtheentrancesagainstsub-sequentapplicantsoftheirbreed。Ithinkhismethodwastokeepsaying,\"Iamwell!Iamsound!——soundandwell!wellandsound!Perfectlysound,perfectlywell!Ihavenopain;there\'snosuchthingaspain!Ihavenodisease;there\'snosuchthingasdisease!NothingisrealbutMind;
allisMind,All-GoodGood-Good,Life,Soul,Liver,Bones,oneofaseries,anteandpassthebuck!\"
Idonotmeanthatthatwasexactlytheformulaused,butthatitdoubtlesscontainsthespiritofit。TheScientistwouldattachvaluetotheexactformula,nodoubt,andtothereligiousspiritinwhichitwasused。Ishouldthinkthatanyformulathatwoulddivertthemindfromunwholesomechannelsandforceitintohealthyoneswouldanswereverypurposewithsomepeople,thoughnotwithall。Ithinkitmostlikelythataveryreligiousmanwouldfindtheadditionofthereligiousspiritapowerfulreinforcementinhiscase。
ThesecondwitnesstestifiesthattheSciencebanished\"anoldorganictrouble,\"whichthedoctorandthesurgeonhadbeennursingwithdrugsandtheknifeforsevenyears。
Hecallsithis\"claim。\"Asurface-minerwouldthinkitwasnothisclaimatall,butthepropertyofthedoctorandhispalthesurgeon——forhewouldbemisledbythatword,whichisChristian-Scienceslangfor\"ailment。\"TheChristianScientisthasnoailment;tohimthereisnosuchthing,andhewillnotusethehatefulword。Allthathappenstohimisthatuponhisattentionanimaginarydisturbancesometimesobtrudesitselfwhichclaimstobeanailmentbutisn\'t。
ThiswitnessofferstestimonyforaclergymanseventyyearsoldwhohadpreachedfortyyearsinaChristianchurch,andhasnowgoneovertothenewsect。Hewas\"almostblindanddeaf。\"HewastreatedbytheC。S。
method,and\"whenheheardthevoiceofTruthhesawspiritually。\"Sawspiritually?Itisalittleindefinite;theyhadbettertreathimagain。
Indefinitetestimoniesmightproperlybewaste-basketed,sincethereisevidentlynolackofdefiniteonesprocurable;butthisC。S。magazineispoorlyedited,andsomistakesofthiskindmustbeexpected。
ThenextwitnessisasoldieroftheCivilWar。WhenChristianSciencefoundhim,hehadinstockthefollowingclaims:
Indigestion,Rheumatism,Catarrh,ChalkydepositsinShoulder-joints,Arm-joints,Hand-joints,Insomnia,AtrophyofthemusclesofArms。
Shoulders,Stiffnessofallthosejoints,Excruciatingpainsmostofthetime。
Theseclaimshaveaverysubstantialsound。Theycameofexposureinthecampaigns。Thedoctorsdidalltheycould,butitwaslittle。Prayersweretried,but\"Ineverrealizedanyphysicalrelieffromthatsource。\"
Afterthirtyyearsoftorture,hewenttoaChristianScientistandtookanhour\'streatmentandwenthomepainless。Twodayslater,he\"begantoeatlikeawellman。\"Then\"theclaimsvanished——someatonce,othersmoregradually\";finally,\"theyhavealmostentirelydisappeared。\"And——
athingwhichisofstillgreatervalue——heisnow\"contentedandhappy。\"
Thatisadetailwhich,asearlierremarked,isaScientist-Churchspecialty。And,indeed,onemaygofurtherandassertwithlittleornoexaggerationthatitisaChristian-Sciencemonopoly。Withthirty-oneyears\'effort,theMethodistChurchhadnotsucceededinfurnishingittothisharassedsoldier。
Andsothetalegoeson。Witnessafterwitnessbulletinshisclaims,declarestheirpromptabolishment,andgivesMrs。Eddy\'sDiscoverythepraise。Milk-legiscured;nervousprostrationiscured;consumptioniscured;andSt。Vitus\'sdanceismadeapastime。Evenwithoutafiddle。
AndnowandthenaninterestingnewadditiontotheScienceslangappearsonthepage。Wehave\"demonstrationsoverchilblains\"andsuchthings。
Itseemstobeacurtailedwayofsaying\"demonstrationsofthepowerofChristian-ScienceTruthoverthefictionwhichmasqueradesunderthenameofChilblains。\"Thechildren,aswellastheadults,shareintheblessingsoftheScience。\"Throughthestudyofthe\'littlebook\'theyarelearninghowtobehealthful,peaceful,andwise。\"Sometimestheyarecuredoftheirlittleclaimsbytheprofessionalhealer,andsometimesmoreadvancedchildrensayovertheformulaandcurethemselves。
AlittleFar-Westerngirlofnine,equippedwithanadultvocabulary,statesherageandsays,\"IthoughtIwouldwriteademonstrationtoyou。\"Shehadaclaim,derivedfromgettingflungoverapony\'sheadandlandedonarockpile。Shesavedherselffromdisasterbyrememberingtosay\"GodisAll\"whileshewasintheair。Icouldn\'thavedoneit。I
shouldn\'tevenhavethoughtofit。Ishouldhavebeentooexcited。
NothingbutChristianSciencecouldhaveenabledthatchildtodothatcalmandthoughtfulandjudiciousthinginthosecircumstances。Shecamedownonherhead,andbyalltherulessheshouldhavebrokenit;buttheinterventionoftheformulapreventedthat,sotheonlyclaimresultingwasablackenedeye。Mondaymorningitwasstillswollenandshut。Atschool\"ithurtprettybadly——thatis,itseemedto。\"So\"Iwasexcused,andwentdowntothebasementandsaid,\'NowIamdependingonmammainsteadofGod,andIwilldependonGodinsteadofmamma。\'\"Nodoubtthiswouldhaveanswered;but,tomakesure,sheaddedMrs。Eddytotheteamandrecited\"theScientificStatementofBeing,\"whichisoneoftheprincipalincantations,Ijudge。Then\"Ifeltmyeyeopening。\"Why,dear,itwouldhaveopenedanoyster。Ithinkitisoneofthetouchingestthingsinchild-history,thatpiouslittleratdowncellarpumpingawayattheScientificStatementofBeing。
Thereisapageaboutanothergoodchild——littleGordon。LittleGordon\"cameintotheworldwithouttheassistanceofsurgeryoranaesthetics。\"
Hewasa\"demonstration。\"Apainlessone;therefore,hiscomingevoked\"joyandthankfulnesstoGodandtheDiscovererofChristianScience。\"
Itisanoticeablefeatureofthisliterature——thesofrequentlinkingtogetheroftheTwoBeingsinanequalbond;alsoofTheirTwoBibles。
WhenlittleGordonwastwoyearsold,\"hewasplayinghorseonthebed,whereIhadleftmy\'littlebook。\'Inoticedhimstopinhisplay,takethebookcarefullyinhislittlehands,kissitsoftly,thenlookaboutforthehighestplaceofsafetyhisarmscouldreach,andputitthere。\"
Thispiousactfilledthemother\"withsuchatrainofthoughtasIhadneverexperiencedbefore。Ithoughtofthesweetmotheroflongagowhokeptthingsinherheart,\"etc。Itisaboldcomparison;however,unconsciousprofanationsareaboutascommoninthemouthsofthelaymembershipofthenewChurchasarefrankandopenonesinthemouthsofitsconsecratedchiefs。
Somedayslater,thefamilylibrary——Christian-Sciencebooks——waslyinginadeep-seatedwindow。Thiswasanotherchancefortheholychildtoshowoff。Helefthisplayandwentthereandpushedallthebookstooneside,excepttheAnnex\"Ithetookinbothhands,slowlyraisedittohislips,thenremoveditcarefully,andseatedhimselfinthewindow。\"
Ithadseemedtothemothertoowonderfultobetrue,thatfirsttime;
butnowshewasconvincedthat\"neitherimaginationnoraccidenthadanythingtodowithit。\"Later,littleGordonlettheauthorofhisbeingseehimdoit。Afterthathediditfrequently;probablyeverytimeanybodywaslooking。Iwouldratherhavethatchildthanachromo。
Ifthistalehasanyobject,itistointimatethattheinspiredbookwassupernaturallyabletoconveyasenseofitssacredandawfulcharactertothisinnocentlittlecreature,withouttheinterventionofoutsideaids。Themagazineisnoteditedwithhigh-priceddiscretion。Theeditorhasa\"claim,\"andheoughttogetittreated。
Amongotherwitnessesthereisonewhohada\"jumpingtoothache,\"whichseveraltimestemptedherto\"believethattherewassensationinmatter,buteachtimeitwasovercomebythepowerofTruth。\"Shewouldnotallowthedentisttousecocaine,butsatthereandlethimpunchanddrillandsplitandcrushthetooth,andtearandslashitsulcerations,andpulloutthenerve,anddigoutfragmentsofbone;andshewouldn\'tonceconfessthatithurt。Andtothisdayshethinksitdidn\'t,andI
havenotadoubtthatsheisnine-tenthsright,andthatherChristian-
Sciencefaithdidherbetterservicethanshecouldhavegottenoutofcocaine。
Thereisanaccountofaboywhogotbrokenallupintosmallbitsbyanaccident,butsaidovertheScientificStatementofBeing,orsomeoftheotherincantations,andgotwellandsoundwithouthavingsufferedanyrealpainandwithouttheintrusionofasurgeon。
Also,thereisanaccountoftherestorationtoperfecthealth,inasinglenight,ofafatallyinjuredhorse,bytheapplicationofChristianScience。Icanstandagooddeal,butIrecognizethattheiceisgettingthin,here。Thathorsehadasmanyasfiftyclaims;howcouldhedemonstrateoverthem?CouldhedotheAll-Good,Good-Good,Good-
Gracious,Liver,Bones,Truth,AlldownbutNine,SetthemupontheOtherAlley?CouldheintonetheScientificStatementofBeing?Now,couldhe?Wouldn\'titgivehimarelapse?Letusdrawthelineathorses。Horsesandfurniture。
Thereisplentyofothertestimoniesinthemagazine,butthesequotedsampleswillanswer。TheyshowthekindoftradetheScienceisdriving。
Nowwecomebacktothequestion,DoestheSciencekillapatienthereandthereandnowandthen?Wemustconcedeit。Doesitcompensateforthis?Iampersuadedthatitcanmakeaplausibleshowinginthatdirection。Forinstance:whenitlaysitshanduponasoldierwhohassufferedthirtyyearsofhelplesstortureandmakeshimwholeinbodyandmind,whatistheactualsumofthatachievement?This,。Ithink:thatithasrestoredtolifeasubjectwhohadessentiallydiedtendeathsayearforthirtyyears,andeachofthemalongandpainfulone。Butforitsinterferencethatmaninthethreeyearswhichhavesinceelapsed,wouldhaveessentiallydiedthirtytimesmore。Therearethousandsofyoungpeopleinthelandwhoarenowreadytoenteruponalife-longdeathsimilartothatman\'s。EverytimetheSciencecapturesoneoftheseandsecurestohimlife-longimmunityfromimagination-manufactureddisease,itmayplausiblyclaimthatinhispersonithassavedthreehundredlives。Meantime,itwillkillamaneverynowandthen。Butnomatter,itwillstillbeaheadonthecreditside。
[NOTE。——Ihavereceivedseveralletters(twofromeducatedandostensiblyintelligentpersons),whichcontained,insubstance,thisprotest:\"I
don\'tobjecttomenandwomenchancingtheirliveswiththesepeople,butitisaburningshamethatthelawshouldallowthemtotrusttheirhelplesslittlechildrenintheirdeadlyhands。\"Isn\'tittouching?
Isn\'titdeep?Isn\'titmodest?Itisasifthepersonsaid:\"Iknowthattoaparenthischildisthecoreofhisheart,theappleofhiseye,apossessionsodear,sopreciousthathewilltrustitslifeinnohandsbutthosewhichhebelieves,withallhissoul,tobetheverybestandtheverysafest,butitisaburningshamethatthelawdoesnotrequirehimtocometometoaskwhatkindofhealerIwillallowhimtocall。\"Thepublicismerelyamultiplied\"me。\"——M。T。]
CHAPTERVII
\"WeconsciouslydeclarethatScienceandHealth,withKeytotheScriptures,wasforetold,aswellasitsauthor,MaryBakerEddy,inRevelationx。Sheisthe\'mightyangel,\'orGod\'shighestthoughttothisage(verse1),givingusthespiritualinterpretationoftheBibleinthe\'littlebookopen\'(verse2)。ThusweprovethatChristianScienceisthesecondcomingofChrist-Truth-Spirit。\"——LecturebyDr。
GeorgeTomkins,D。D。C。S。
Thereyouhaveitinplainspeech。Sheisthemightyangel;sheisthedivinelyandofficiallysentbearerofGod\'shighestthought。Forthepresent,shebringstheSecondAdvent。WemustexpectthatbeforeshehasbeeninhergravefiftyyearsshewillberegardedbyherfollowingashavingbeenherselftheSecondAdvent。Sheisalreadyworshiped,andwemustexpectthisfeelingtospread,territorially,andalsotodeepeninintensity。
Particularlyafterherdeath;forthen,asanyonecanforesee,Eddy-
WorshipwillbetaughtintheSunday-schoolsandpulpitsofthecult。
Alreadywhateversheputshertrade-markon,thoughitbeonlyamemorial-spoon,isholyandiseagerlyandgratefullyboughtbythedisciple,andbecomesafetishinhishouse。Isaybought,fortheBostonChristian-ScienceTrustgivesnothingaway;everythingithasisforsale。Andthetermsarecash;andnotonlycash,butcashinadvance。ItsgodisMrs。Eddyfirst,thentheDollar。NotaspiritualDollar,butarealone。FromendtoendoftheChristianScienceliteraturenotasingle(material)thingintheworldisconcededtobereal,excepttheDollar。Butallthroughandthroughitsadvertisementsthatrealityiseagerlyandpersistentlyrecognized。
TheDollarishunteddowninallsortsofways;theChristian-ScienceMother-ChurchandBargain-CounterinBostonpeddlesallkindsofspiritualwarestothefaithful,andalwaysontheonecondition——cash,cashinadvance。TheAngeloftheApocalypsecouldnotgothereandgetacopyofhisownpiratedbookoncredit。Many,manypreciousChristian-
Sciencethingsaretobehadthereforcash:BibleLessons;ChurchManual;C。S。Hymnal;HistoryofthebuildingoftheMother-Church;lotofSermons;CommunionHymn,\"SawYeMySaviour,\"byMrs。Eddy,halfadollaracopy,\"wordsusedbyspecialpermissionofMrs。Eddy。\"AlsowehaveMrs。Eddy\'sandtheAngel\'slittleBlue-Annexineightstylesofbindingateightkindsofwar-prices;amongtheseasweetthingin\"levant,divinitycircuit,leatherlinedtoedge,roundcorners,goldedge,silksewed,each,prepaid,$6,\"andifyoutakeamillionyougetthemashillingcheaper——thatistosay,\"prepaid,$5。75。\"AlsowehaveMrs。Eddy\'sMiscellaneousWritings,at\'andsomebigprices,thedivinity-
circuitstyleheadingtheexertions,shillingdiscountwhereyoutakeaneditionNextcomesChristandChristmas,bythefertileMrs。Eddy——apoem——wouldGodIcouldseeit!——price$3,cashinadvance。ThenfollowfivemorebooksbyMrs。Eddy,athighwayman\'srates,someofthemin\"leatherettecovers,\"someofthemin\"pebblecloth,\"withdivinity-
circuit,compensation-balance,twin-screw,andtheothermodernimprovements;andatthesamebargain-countercanbehadTheChristianScienceJournal。
Christian-ScienceliterarydischargesareamonopolyoftheMother-ChurchHeadquartersFactoryinBoston;nonegenuinewithoutthetrade-markoftheTrust。Youmustapplythereandnotelsewhere。
Onehundreddollarsforit。AndIhaveacaseamongmystatisticswherethestudenthadathreeweeks\'courseandpaidthreehundredforit。
TheTrustdoeslovetheDollar,whenitisn\'taspiritualone。
InordertoforcethesaleofMrsEddy\'sBible-Annex,nohealer,Metaphysical-College-bredorother,isallowedtopracticethegameunlesshepossessesacopyofthatbook。ThatmeansalargeandconstantlyaugmentingincomefortheTrust。NoC。S。familywouldconsideritselfloyalorpiousorpain-proofwithoutanAnnexortwointhehouse。ThatmeansanincomefortheTrust,inthenearfuture,ofmillions;notthousands-millionsayear。
Nomember,youngorold,ofabranchChristian-ScientistchurchcanacquireandretainmembershipintheMother-Churchunlesshepay\"capitationtax\"(of\"notlessthanadollar,\"saytheBy-Laws)totheBostonTrusteveryyear。ThatmeansanincomefortheTrust,inthenearfuture,of——letusventuretosay——millionsmoreperyear。
ItisareasonablysafeguessthatinAmericain1920therewillbetenmillionChristianScientists,andthreemillionsinGreatBritain;thatthesefigureswillbetrebledin1930;thatinAmericain1920theChristianScientistswillbeapoliticalforce,in1930politicallyformidable,andin1940thegoverningpowerintheRepublic——toremainthat,permanently。AndIthinkitareasonableguessthattheTrust(whichisalreadyinourdayprettybrusqueinitsways)willthenbethemostinsolentandunscrupulousandtyrannicalpolitico-religiousmasterthathasdominatedapeoplesincethepalmydaysoftheInquisition。Andastrongermasterthanthestrongestofbygonetimes,becausethisonewillhaveafinancialstrengthnotdreamedofbyanypredecessor;aseffectiveaconcentrationofirresponsiblepowerasanypredecessorhashad;intherailway,thetelegraph,andthesubsidizednewspaper,betterfacilitiesforwatchingandmanaginghisempirethananypredecessorhashad;and,afteragenerationortwo,hewillprobablydivideChristendomwiththeCatholicChurch。
TheRomanChurchhasaperfectorganization,andithasaneffectivecentralizationofpower——butnotofitscash。ItsmultitudeofBishopsarerich,buttheirrichesremaininlargemeasureintheirownhands。
Theycollectfromtwohundredmillionsofpeople,buttheykeepthebulkoftheresultathome。TheBostonPopeofby-and-bywilldrawhisdollar-a-headcapitation-taxfromthreehundredmillionsofthehumanrace,andtheAnnexandtherestofhisbook-shopstockwillfetchinasmuchmore;andhisMetaphysicalColleges,theannualPilgrimagetoMrs。
Eddy\'stomb,fromallovertheworld-admission,theChristian-ScienceDollar(payableinadvance)——purchasesofconsecratedglassbeads,candles,memorialspoons,aureoledchrome-portraitsandbogusautographsofMrs。Eddy;cashofferingsathershrinenocrutchesofcuredcripplesreceived,andnoimitationsofmiraculouslyrestoredbrokenlegsandnecksallowedtobehungupexceptwhenmadeoutoftheHolyMetalandprovedbyfire-assay;cashformiraclesworkedatthetomb:thesemoney-
sources,withathousandtobeyetinventedandambusheduponthedevotee,willbringtheannualincrementwellupaboveabillion。AndnobodybuttheTrustwillhavethehandlingofit。Inthatday,theTrustwillmonopolizethemanufactureandsaleoftheOldandNewTestamentsaswellastheAnnex,andraisetheirpricetoAnnexrates,andcompelthedevoteetobuy(forevento-dayahealerhastohavetheAnnexandtheScripturesorheisnotallowedtoworkthegame),andthatwillbringseveralhundredmilliondollarsmore。Inthosedays,theTrustwillhaveanincomeapproachingfivemilliondollarsaday,andnoexpensestobetakenoutofit;notaxestopay,andnocharitiestosupport。Thatlastdetailshouldnotbelightlypassedoverbythereader;itiswellentitledtoattention。
Nocharitiestosupport。No,noreventocontributeto。OnesearchesinvaintheTrust\'sadvertisementsandtheutterancesofitsorgansforanysuggestionthatitspendsapennyonorphans,widows,dischargedprisoners,hospitals,raggedschools,nightmissions,citymissions,libraries,oldpeople\'shomes,oranyotherobjectthatappealstoahumanbeing\'spursethroughhisheart。
Ihavehunted,hunted,andhunted,bycorrespondenceandotherwise,andhavenotyetgotuponthetrackofafarthingthattheTrusthasspentuponanyworthyobject。NothingmakesaScientistsouncomfortableastoaskhimifheknowsofacasewhereChristianSciencehasspentmoneyonabenevolence,eitheramongitsownadherentsorelsewhere。Heisobligedtosay\"No\"Andthenonediscoversthatthepersonquestionedhasbeenaskedthequestionmanytimesbefore,andthatitisgettingtobeasoresubjectwithhim。Whyasoresubject?Becausehehaswrittenhischiefsandaskedwithhighconfidenceforananswerthatwillconfoundthesequestioners——andthechiefsdidnotreply。Hehaswrittenagain,andthenagain——notwithconfidence,buthumbly,now——andhasbeggedfordefensiveammunitioninthevoiceofsupplication。Areplydoesatlastcometothiseffect:\"WemusthavefaithinOurMother,andrestcontentintheconvictionthatwhateverShedoeswiththemoneyitisinaccordancewithordersfromHeaven,forShedoesnoactofanykindwithoutfirst\'demonstratingover\'it。\"
Thatsettlesit——asfarasthediscipleisconcerned。Hismindissatisfiedwiththatanswer;hegetsdownhisAnnexanddoesanincantationortwo,andthatmesmerizeshisspiritandputsthattosleep——bringsitpeace。Peaceandcomfortandjoy,untilsomeinquirerpuncturestheoldsoreagain。
ThroughfriendsinAmericaIaskedsomequestions,andinsomecasesgotdefiniteandinforminganswers;inothercasestheanswerswerenotdefiniteandnotvaluable。Tothequestion,\"Doesanyofthemoneygotocharities?\"theanswerfromanauthoritativesourcewas:\"No,notinthesenseusuallyconveyedbythisword。\"(Theitalicsaremine。)Thatansweriscautious。Butdefinite,Ithink——utterlyandunassailablydefinite——althoughquiteChristian-Scientificallyfoggyinitsphrasing。
Christian-Sciencetestimonyisgenerallyfoggy,generallydiffuse,generallygarrulous。ThewriterwasawarethatthefirstwordinhisphraseansweredthequestionwhichIwasasking,buthecouldnothelpaddingninedarkwords。Meaninglessones,unlessexplainedbyhim。Itisquitelikely,asintimatedbyhim,thatChristianSciencehasinventedanewclassofobjectstoapplytheword\"charity\"to,butwithoutanexplanationwecannotknowwhattheyare。Wequiteeasilyandnaturallyandconfidentlyguessthattheyareinallcasesobjectswhichwillreturnfivehundredpercent。ontheTrust\'sinvestmentinthem,butguessingisnotknowledge;itismerely,inthiscase,asortofnine-
tenthscertaintydeduciblefromwhatwethinkweknowoftheTrust\'stradeprinciplesanditsslyandfurtiveandshiftyways。
Sly?Deep?Judicious?TheTrustunderstandsitsbusiness。TheTrustdoesnotgiveitselfaway。Itdefeatsalltheattemptsofusimpertinentstogetatitstradesecrets。Tothisday,afterallourdiligence,wehavenotbeenabletogetittoconfesswhatitdoeswiththemoney。Itdoesnotevenletitsowndisciplesfindout。Allitsaysis,thatthematterhasbeen\"demonstratedover。\"NowandthenalayScientistsays,withagratefulexultation,thatMrs。Eddyisenormouslyrich,buthestopsthere;astowhetheranyofthemoneygoestoothercharitiesornot,heisobligedtoadmitthathedoesnotknow。However,theTrustiscomposedofhumanbeings;andthisjustifiestheconjecturethatifithadacharityonitslistwhichitwasproudof,weshouldsoonhearofit。
\"Withoutmoneyandwithoutprice。\"Thoseusedtobetheterms。Mrs。
Eddy\'sAnnexcancelsthem。ThemottoofChristianScienceis,\"Thelaborerisworthyofhishire。\"Andnowthatithasbeen\"demonstratedover,\"wefinditsspiritualmeaningtobe,\"Doanythingandeverythingyourhandmayfindtodo;andchargecashforit,andcollectthemoneyinadvance。\"TheScientisthasonhistongue\'sendacut-and-dried,Boston-suppliedsetofratherleanarguments,whosefunctionistoshowthatitisaHeaven-commandeddutytodothis,andthatthecroupiersofthegamehavenochoicebuttoobey。
TheTrustseemstobeareincarnation。Exodusxxxii。4。
IhavenoreverencefortheTrust,butIamnotlackinginreverenceforthesinceritiesofthelaymembershipofthenewChurch。Thereiseveryevidencethatthelaymembersareentirelysincereintheirfaith,andI
thinksincerityisalwaysentitledtohonorandrespect,lettheinspirationofthesinceritybewhatitmay。Zealandsinceritycancarryanewreligionfurtherthananyothermissionaryexceptfireandsword,andIbelievethatthenewreligionwillconquerthehalfofChristendominahundredyears。Iamnotintendingthisasacomplimenttothehumanrace;Iammerelystatinganopinion。AndyetIthinkthatperhapsitisacomplimenttotherace。Ikeepinmindthatsayingofanorthodoxpreacher——quotedfurtherback。HeconcededthatthisnewChristianityfreesitspossessor\'slifefromfrets,fears,vexations,bitterness,andallsortsofimagination-propagatedmaladiesandpains,andfillshisworldwithsunshineandhisheartwithgladness。IfChristianScience,withthisstupendousequipment——andfinalsalvationadded——cannotwinhalftheChristianglobe,Imustbebadlymistakeninthemake-upofthehumanrace。
IthinktheTrustwillbehandeddownlikeMeotherPapacy,andwillalwaysknowhowtohandleitslimitlesscash。Itwillpressthebutton;
thezeal,theenergy,thesincerity,theenthusiasmofitscountlessvassalswilldotherest。
CHAPTERVIII
Thepowerwhichaman\'simaginationhasoverhisbodytohealitormakeitsickisaforcewhichnoneofusisbornwithout。Thefirstmanhadit,thelastonewillpossessit。Iflefttohimself,amanismostlikelytouseonlythemischievoushalfoftheforce——thehalfwhichinventsimaginaryailmentsforhimandcultivatesthem;andifheisoneofthese——verywisepeople,heisquitelikelytoscoffatthebeneficenthalfoftheforceanddenyitsexistence。Andso,tohealorhelpthatman,twoimaginationsarerequired:hisownandsomeoutsider\'s。Theoutsider,B,mustimaginethathisincantationsarethehealing-powerthatiscuringA,andAmustimaginethatthisisso。Ithinkitisnotso,atall;butnomatter,thecureiseffected,andthatisthemainthing。Theoutsider\'sworkisunquestionablyvaluable;sovaluablethatitmayfairlybelikenedtotheessentialworkperformedbytheengineerwhenhehandlesthethrottleandturnsonthesteam;theactualpowerislodgedexclusivelyintheengine,butiftheenginewereleftaloneitwouldneverstartofitself。WhethertheengineerbenamedJim,orBob,orTom,itisallone——hisservicesarenecessary,andheisentitledtosuchwageashecangetyoutopay。WhetherhebenamedChristianScientist,orMentalScientist,orMindCurist,orKing\'s-EvilExpert,orHypnotist,itisallone;heismerelytheEngineer;hesimplyturnsonthesameoldsteamandtheenginedoesthewholework。
TheChristian-Scientistengineerdrivesexactlythesametradeastheotherengineers,yetheout-prospersthewholeofthemputtogether。
Isitbecausehehascapturedthetakingestname?Ithinkthatthatisonlyasmallpartofit。Ithinkthatthesecretofhishighprosperitylieselsewhere。
TheChristianScientisthasorganizedthebusiness。Nowthatwascertainlyagiganticidea。Electricity,inlimitlessvolume,hasexistedintheairandtherocksandtheearthandeverywheresincetimebegan——
andwasgoingtowasteallthewhile。Inourtimewehaveorganizedthatscatteredandwanderingforceandsetittowork,andbackedthebusinesswithcapital,andconcentrateditinfewandcompetenthands,andtheresultsareaswesee。
TheChristianScientisthastakenaforcewhichhasbeenlyingidleineverymemberofthehumanracesincetimebegan,andhasorganizedit,andbackedthebusinesswithcapital,andconcentrateditatBostonheadquartersinthehandsofasmallandverycompetentTrust,andthereareresults。
Thereinliesthepromisethatthismonopolyisgoingtoextenditscommercewideintheearth。Ithinkthatifthebusinesswereconductedinthelooseanddisconnectedfashioncustomarywithsuchthings,itwouldachievebutlittlemorethanthemodestprosperityusuallysecuredbyunorganizedgreatmoralandcommercialventures;butIbelievethatsolongasthisoneremainscompactlyorganizedandcloselyconcentratedinaTrust,thespreadofitsdominionwillcontinue。
CHAPTERIX
FouryearsagoIwrotetheprecedingchapters。IwasassuredbythewisethatChristianSciencewasafleetingcrazeandwouldsoonperish。Thispromptandall-competentstripeofprophetisalwaystobehadinthemarketatground-floorrates。Hedoesnotstoptoload,orconsider,ortakeaim,butletsflyjustashestands。Factsarenothingtohim,hehasnouseforsuchthings;heworkswhollybyinspiration。Andso,whenheisaskedwhyheconsidersanewmovementapassingfadandquicklyperishable,hefindshimselfunpreparedwithareasonandismoreorlessembarrassed。Foramoment。Onlyforamoment。Thenhewaylaysthefirstspectreofareasonthatgoesflittingthroughthedesertplacesofhismind,andisatoncesereneagainandreadyforconflict。Sereneandconfident。Yetheshouldnotbeso,sincehehashadnochancetoexaminehiscatch,andcannotknowwhetheritisgoingtohelphiscontentionordamageit。
TheimpromptureasonfurnishedbytheearlyprophetsofwhomIhavespokenwasthis:
\"ThereisnothingtoChristianScience;thereisnothingaboutitthatappealstotheintellect;itsmarketwillberestrictedtotheunintelligent,thementallyinferior,thepeoplewhodonotthink。\"
Theycalledthatareasonwhythecultwouldnotflourishandendure。Itseemstheequivalentofsaying:
\"Thereisnomoneyintinware;thereisnothingaboutitthatappealstotherich;itsmarketwillberestrictedtothepoor。\"
ItislikebringingforwardthebestreasonintheworldwhyChristianScienceshouldflourishandlive,andthenblandlyofferingitasareasonwhyitshouldsickenanddie。
Thatreasonwasfurnishedmebythecomplacentandunfrightenedprophetsfouryearsago,andithasbeenfurnishedmeagainto-day。Ifconversionstonewreligionsortooldoneswereinanyconsiderabledegreeachievedthroughtheintellect,theaforesaidreasonwouldbesoundandsufficient,nodoubt;theinquirerintoChristianSciencemightgoawayunconvincedandunconverted。Butweallknowthatconversionsareseldommadeinthatway;thatsuchathingasaseriousandpainstakingandfairlycompetentinquiryintotheclaimsofareligionorofapoliticaldogmaisarareoccurrence;andthatthevastmassofmenandwomenarefarfrombeingcapableofmakingsuchanexamination。Theyarenotcapable,forthereasonthattheirminds,howsoevergoodtheymaybe,arenottrainedforsuchexaminations。Themindnottrainedforthatworkisnomorecompetenttodoitthanarelawyersandfarmerscompetenttomakesuccessfulclotheswithoutlearningthetailor\'strade。Thereareseventy-fivemillionmenandwomenamonguswhodonotknowhowtocutoutandmakeadress-suit,andtheywouldnotthinkoftrying;yettheyallthinktheycancompetentlythinkoutapoliticalorreligiousschemewithoutanyapprenticeshiptothebusiness,andmanyofthembelievetheyhaveactuallyworkedthatmiracle。But,indeed,thetruthis,almostallthemenandwomenofournationorofanyothergettheirreligionandtheirpoliticswheretheygettheirastronomy——entirelyatsecondhand。Beinguntrained,theyarenomoreabletointelligentlyexamineadogmaorapolicythantheyaretocalculateaneclipse。
Menareusuallycompetentthinkersalongthelinesoftheirspecializedtrainingonly。Withintheselimitsalonearetheiropinionsandjudgmentsvaluable;outsideoftheselimitstheygropeandarelost——
usuallywithoutknowingit。Inachurchassemblageoffivehundredpersons,therewillbeamanortwowhosetrainedmindscanseizeuponeachdetailofagreatmanufacturingschemeandrecognizeitsvalueoritslackofvaluepromptly;andcanpassthedetailsinintelligentreview,sectionbysection,andfinallyasawhole,andthendeliveraverdictupontheschemewhichcannotbeflippantlysetasidenoreasilyanswered。Andtherewillbeoneortwoothermentherewhocandothesamethingwithagreatandcomplicatededucationalproject;andoneortwootherswhocandothelikewithalargeschemeforapplyingelectricityinanewandunheard-ofway;andoneortwootherswhocandoitwithashowyschemeforrevolutionizingthescientificworld\'sacceptednotionsregardinggeology。Andsoon,andsoon。Butthemanufacturingexpertswillnotbecompetenttoexaminetheeducationalschemeintelligently,andtheiropinionaboutitwouldnotbevaluable;
neitherofthesetwogroupswillbeabletounderstandandpassupontheelectricalscheme;noneofthesethreebatchesofexpertswillbeabletounderstandandpassuponthegeologicalrevolution;andprobablynotonemanintheentirelotwillbecompetenttoexamine,capably,theintricaciesofapoliticalorreligiousscheme,neworold,anddeliverajudgmentuponitwhichanyoneneedregardasprecious。
Thereyouhavethetopcrust。Therewillbefourhundredandseventy-
fivemenandwomenpresentwhocandrawupontheirtraininganddeliverincontrovertiblejudgmentsconcerningcheese,andleather,andcattle,andhardware,andsoap,andtar,andcandles,andpatentmedicines,anddreams,andapparitions,andgardentrucks,andcats,andbabyfood,andwarts,andhymns,andtime-tables,andfreight-rates,andsummerresorts,andwhiskey,andlaw,andsurgery,anddentistry,andblacksmithing,andshoemaking,anddancing,andHuyler\'scandy,andmathematics,anddogfights,andobstetrics,andmusic,andsausages,anddrygoods,andmolasses,andrailroadstocks,andhorses,andliterature,andlaborunions,andvegetables,andmorals,andlamb\'sfries,andetiquette,andagriculture。Andnottenamongthefivehundred——lettheirmindsbeeversogoodandbright——willbecompetent,bygraceoftherequisitespecializedmentaltraining,totakeholdofacomplexabstractionofanykindandmakeheadortailofit。
Thewholefivehundredarethinkers,andtheyareallcapablethinkers——
butonlywithinthenarrowlimitsoftheirspecializedtrainings。Fourhundredandninetyofthemcannotcompetentlyexamineeitherareligiousplanorapoliticalone。Ascatteringfewofthemdoexamineboth——thatis,theythinktheydo。WithresultsaspreciousaswhenIexaminethenebulartheoryandexplainittomyself。
Ifthefourhundredandninetygottheirreligionthroughtheirminds,andbyweighedandmeasureddetail,ChristianSciencewouldnotbeascaryapparition。Buttheydon\'t;theygetalittleofitthroughtheirminds,moreofitthroughtheirfeelings,andtheoverwhelmingbulkofitthroughtheirenvironment。
EnvironmentisthechiefthingtobeconsideredwhenoneisproposingtopredictthefutureofChristianScience。ItisnottheabilitytoreasonthatmakesthePresbyterian,ortheBaptist,ortheMethodist,ortheCatholic,ortheMohammedan,ortheBuddhist,ortheMormon;itisenvironment。Ifreligionsweregotbyreasoning,weshouldhavetheextraordinaryspectacleofanAmericanfamilywithaPresbyterianinit,andaBaptist,aMethodist,aCatholic,aMohammedan,aBuddhist,andaMormon。APresbyterianfamilydoesnotproduceCatholicfamiliesorotherreligiousbrands,itproducesitsownkind;andnotbyintellectualprocesses,butbyassociation。AndsoalsowithMohammedanism,thecultwhichinourdayisspreadingwiththesweepofaworld-conflagrationthroughtheOrient,thatnativehomeofprofoundthoughtandofsubtleintellectualfence,thatfertilewombwhencehassprungeverygreatreligionthatexists。Includingourown;forwithallourbrainswecannotinventareligionandmarketit。
Thelanguageofmyquotedprophetsrecurstousnow,andwewondertothinkhowsmallaspaceintheworldthemightyMohammedanChurchwouldbeoccupyingnow,ifasuccessfultradeinitslineofgoodshadbeenconditioneduponanexhibitthatwould\"appealtotheintellect\"insteadofto\"theunintelligent,thementallyinferior,thepeoplewhodonotthink。\"
TheChristianScienceChurch,liketheMohammedanChurch,makesnoembarrassingappealtotheintellect,hasnooccasiontodoit,andcangetalongquitewellwithoutit。
Provided。Providedwhat?Thatitcansecurethatthingwhichisworthtwoorthreehundredthousandtimesmorethanan\"appealtotheintellect\"——anenvironment。Canitgetthat?WillitbeamenacetoregularChristianityifitgetsthat?IsittimeforregularChristianitytogetalarmed?OrshallregularChristianitysmileasmileandturnoverandtakeanothernap?Won\'titbewiseandproperforregularChristianitytodotheoldway,Mecustomaryway,thehistoricalway——lockthestable-doorafterthehorseisgone?JustasProtestantismhassmiledandnoddedthislongtime(whilethealertanddiligentCatholicwasslippinginandcapturingthepublicschools),andisnowbeginningtohuntaroundforthekeywhenitistoolate?
WillChristianSciencegetachancetoshowitswares?Ithasalreadysecuredthatchance。Willitflourishandspreadandprosperifitshallcreateforitselftheonethingessentialtothoseconditions——anenvironment?Ithasalreadycreatedanenvironment。TherearefamiliesofChristianScientistsineverycommunityinAmerica,andeachfamilyisafactory;eachfamilyturnsoutaChristianScienceproductatthecustomaryintervals,andcontributesittotheCauseintheonlywayinwhichcontributionsofrecruitstoChurchesareevermadeonalargescale——bythepuissantforcesofpersonalcontactandassociation。EachfamilyisanagencyfortheCause,andmakesconvertsamongtheneighbors,andstartssomemorefactories。
FouryearsagothereweresixChristianScientistsinacertaintownthatIamacquaintedwith;ayearagothereweretwohundredandfiftythere;
theyhavebuiltachurch,anditsmembershipnownumbersfourhundred。
Thishasallbeenquietlydone;donewithoutfrenziedrevivals,withoutuniforms,brassbands,streetparades,corneroratory,oranyoftheothercustomarypersuasionstoagodlylife。ChristianScience,likeMohammedanism,is\"restricted\"tothe\"unintelligent,thepeoplewhodonotthink。\"Thereliesthedanger。ItmakesChristianScienceformidable。Itis\"restricted\"toninety-nineone-hundredthsofthehumanrace,andmustbereckonedwithbyregularChristianity。Andwillbe,assoonasitistoolate。