第6章
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  14。TheharnessingofallChristianSciencewedding-teams,membersofthebranchChurch,mustbedonebydulyauthorizedandconsecratedChristianSciencefunctionaries。Herfactoryistheonlyonethatmakesandlicensesthem。

  [15。Nothingissaidaboutchristenings。ItisinferablefromthisthataChristianSciencechildisbornaChristianScientistandrequiresnotinkering。]

  [16。Nothingissaidaboutfunerals。Itisinferable,then,thatabranchChurchisprivilegedtodointhatmatterasitmaychoose。]

  Tosumup。AreanyimportantChurch-functionsabsentfromthelist?I

  cannotcallanytomind。ArethereanylackingoneswhoseexercisecouldmakethebranchinanynoticeablewayindependentoftheMother。Church?

  ——eveninanytriflingdegree?Ithinkofnone。IfthenamedfunctionswereabolishedwouldtherestillbeaChurchleft?WouldtherebeevenashadowofaChurchleft?Wouldtherebeanythingatallleft?eventhebarename?

  Manifestlynot。Thereisn\'tasinglevitalandessentialChurch-functionofanykind,thatisnotnamedinthelist。AndovereveryoneofthemtheMother-Churchhaspermanentandunchallengeablecontrol,uponeveryoneofthemMrs。Eddyhassetherirremovablegrip。Sheholds,inperpetuity,autocraticandindisputablesovereigntyandcontrolovereverybranchChurchintheearth;andyetsays,inthatsugary,naive,angel-beguilingwayofhers,thattheMother-Church:

  \"shallassumenoofficialcontrolofotherchurchesofthisdenomination。\"

  Whereasintruththeunmeddled-withlibertiesofabranchChristianScienceChurcharebutvery,veryfewinnumber,andarethese:

  1。Itcanappointitsownfurnace-stoker,winters。

  2。Itcanappointitsownfan-distributors,summers。

  3。Itcan,inaccordancewithitsownchoiceinthematter,burn,bury,orpreservememberswhoarepretendingtobedead——whereasthereisnosuchthingasdeath。

  4。Itcantakeupacollection。

  ThebranchChurcheshavenoimportantliberties,nonethatgivethemanimportantvoiceintheirownaffairs。Thosearealllockedup,andMrs。

  Eddyhasthekey。\"LocalSelf-Government\"isalargenameandsoundswell;butthebranchChurcheshavenomoreofitthanhavetheprivatesintheKingofDahomey\'sarmy。

  \"MOTHER-CHURCHUNIQUE\"

  Mrs。Eddy,withanenviousandadmiringeyeuponthesolitaryandrivallessandworld-shadowingmajestyofSt。Peter\'s,revealsinherBy-

  lawsherpurposetosettheMother-ChurchapartbyitselfinastatelyseclusionandmakeitduplicatethatlonesublimityundertheWesternsky。TheBy-lawheaded\"Mother-ChurchUnique\"says——

  \"InitsrelationtootherChristianSciencechurches,theMother-Churchstandsalone。

  \"ItoccupiesapositionthatnootherChurchcanfill。

  \"ThenforabranchChurchtoassumesuchpositionwouldbedisastroustoChristianScience,\"Therefore——\"

  ThereforenobranchChurchisallowedtohavebranches。ThereshallbenoChristianScienceSt。Peter\'sintheearthbutjustone——theMother-

  ChurchinBoston。

  \"NOFIRSTMEMBERS\"

  ButforthethoughtfulBy-lawthusentitled,everySciencebranchintheearthwouldimitatetheMother-Churchandsetupanaristocracy。Everylittlegroupofground-floorSmithsandFurgusonsandShadwellsandSimpsonsthatorganizedabranchwouldassumethatgreattitle,of\"FirstMembers,\"alongwithitsvastprivilegesof\"discussing\"theweatherandcastingblankballots,andsoontherewouldbesuchalocust-plagueofthemburdeningtheglobethatthetitlewouldloseitsvalueandhavetobeabolished。

  Butwherebusinessandgloryareconcerned,Mrs。Eddythinksofeverything,andsoshedidnotfailtotakecareofherAborigines,herstatelyandexclusiveOneHundred,hercollegeoffunctionlesscardinals,herSanhedrinofPrivilegedTalkers(Limited)。AftertakingawayallthelibertiesofthebranchChurches,andinthesamebreathdisclaimingallofficialcontrolovertheiraffairs,shesmitesthemonthemouthwiththis——theverymouththatwaswateringforthosenobbyground-floorhonors——

  \"NoFirstMembers。BranchChurchesshallnotorganizewithFirstMembers,thatspecialmethodoforganizationbeingadaptedtotheMother-

  Churchalone。\"

  Andso,firstmembersbeingprohibited,wepiercethroughthecloudofMrs。Eddy\'sEnglishandperceivethattheymustthennecessarilyorganizewithSubsequentMembers。Thereisnootherway。Itwilloccurtothemby-and-bytofoundanaristocracyofEarlySubsequentMembers。ThereisnoBy-lawagainstit。

  \"THE\"

  Iuncovertothatimperialword。Andtothemind,too,thatconceivedtheideaofseizingandmonopolizingitasatitle。IbelieveitisMrs。

  Eddy\'sdazzlingestinvention。Forshow,andstyle,andgrandeur,andthunderandlightningandfireworksitoutclassesallthepreviousinventionsofman,andraisesthelimitonthePope。Hecanneverputhisavidhandonthatwordofwords——itispre-empted。Andcopyrighted,ofcourse。ItliftstheMother-Churchawayupinthesky,andfellowshipsitwiththerareandselectandexclusivelittlecompanyoftheTHE\'sofdeathlessglory——personsandthingswhereofhistoryandtheagescouldfurnishonlysingleexamples,nottwo:theSaviour,theVirgin,theMilkyWay,theBible,theEarth,theEquator,theDevil,theMissingLink——andnowTheFirstChurch,Scientist。AndbyclamorofedictandBy-lawMrs。EddygivespersonalnoticetoallbranchScientistChurchesonthisplanettoleavethatTHEalone。

  ShehasdemonstratedoveritandmadeitsacredtotheMother-Church:

  \"Thearticle\'The\'mustnotbeusedbeforethetitlesofbranchChurches——

  \"Norwrittenonapplicationsformembershipinnamingsuchchurches。\"

  Thosearetheterms。TherecanandwillbeamillionFirstChurchesofChrist,Scientist,scatteredovertheworld,inamilliontownsandvillagesandhamletsandcities,andeachmaycallitself(suppressingthearticle),\"FirstChurchofChrist。Scientist\"——itispermissible,andnoharm;butthereisonlyoneTheChurchofChrist,Scientist,andtherewillneverbeanother。Andwhetherthatgreatwordfallinthemiddleofasentenceoratthebeginningofit,itmustalwayshaveitscapitalT。

  Idonotsupposethatajuvenilepassionforfussylittleworldlyshowsandvanitiescanfurnishamatchtothis,anywhereinthehistoryofthenursery。Mrs。Eddydoesseemtobeashadefonderoflittlespecialdistinctionsandpompsthanisusualwithhumanbeings。

  Sheinstitutedthatimmodest\"The\"withherownhand;shedidnotwaitforsomebodyelsetothinkofit。

  ALIFE-TERMMONOPOLY

  ThereisbutonehumanPastorinthewholeChristianScienceworld;shereservesthatexaltedplacetoherself。

  APERPETUALONE

  ThereisbutoneotherobjectinthewholeChristianScienceworldhonoredwiththattitleandholdingthatoffice:itisherbook,theAnnex——permanentPastorofTheFirstChurch,andofallbranchChurches。

  WithherownhandshedraughtedtheBy-lawswhichmakehertheonlyreallyabsolutesovereignthatlivesto-dayinChristendom。

  Shedoesnotallowanyobjectionablepicturestobeexhibitedintheroomwhereherbookissold,noranyindulgenceinidlegossipthere;andfromthegenerallookofthatBy-lawIjudgethatalightsomeandimproperpersoncanbeasuncomfortableinthatplaceashecouldbeinheaven。

  THESANCTUMSANCTORUMANDSACREDCHAIR

  InaroominTheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist,thereisamuseumofobjectswhichhaveattainedtoholinessthroughcontactwithMrs。Eddy——

  amongthemanelectricallylightedoil-pictureofachairwhichsheusedtositin——anddisciplesfromallabouttheworldgosoftlyinthere,inrestrictedgroups,underproperguard,andreverentlygazeuponthoserelics。Itisworship。Mrs。Eddycouldstopitifshewasnotfondofit,forhersovereigntyoverthattempleissupreme。

  Thefitting-upofthatplaceasashrineisnotanaccident,noracasual,unweighedidea;itisimitatedfromage——oldreligiouscustom。

  InTrevesthepilgrimreverentlygazesupontheSeamlessRobe,andhumblyworships;anddoesthesameinthatothercontinentalchurchwheretheykeepaduplicate;anddoeslikewiseintheChurchoftheHolySepulchre,inJerusalem,wherememorialsoftheCrucifixionarepreserved;andnow,bygoodfortunewehaveourHolyChairandthings,andamarketforouradorationsnearerhome。

  Butistherenotadetailthatisnew,fresh,original?Yes,whateveroldthingMrs。Eddytouchesgetssomethingnewbythecontact——somethingnotthoughtofbeforebyanyone——somethingoriginal,allherown,andcopyrightable。Thenewfeatureisselfworship——exhibitedinpermittingthisshrinetobeinstalledduringherlifetime,andwinkinghersacredeyeatit。

  AprominentChristianScientisthasassuredmethattheScientistsdonotworshipMrs。Eddy,andIthinkitlikelythattheremaybefiveorsixofthecultintheworldwhodonotworshipher,butsheherselfiscertainlynotofthatcompany。Anyhealthy-mindedpersonwhowillexamineMrs。Eddy\'slittleAutobiographyandtheManualofBy-lawswrittenbyherwillbeconvincedthatsheworshipsherself;andthatshebringstothisserviceafervorofdevotionsurpassingeventhatwhichsheformerlylaidatthefeetoftheDollar,andequallinganywhichrisestotheThroneofGracefromanyquarter。

  IthinkthisisasgoodaplaceasanytosalveahurtwhichIwasthemeansofinflictinguponaChristianScientistlately。Thefirstthirdofthisbookwaswrittenin1899inVienna。UntillastsummerIhadsupposedthatthatthirdhadbeenprintedinabookwhichIpublishedaboutayearlater——ahapwhichhadnothappened。IthensentthechapterscomposingittotheNorthAmericanReview,butfailed。inoneinstance,todatethem。Andso,InanundatedchapterIsaidaladytoldme\"lastnight\"soandso。Therewasnothingtoindicatetothereaderthatthat\"lastnight\"wasseveralyearsold,thereforethephraseseemedtorefertoanightofveryrecentdate。Whattheladyhadtoldmewas,thatinapartoftheMother-ChurchinBostonshehadseenScientistsworshippingaportraitofMrs。Eddybeforewhichalightwaskeptconstantlyburning。

  AScientistcametomeandwishedmetoretractthat\"untruth。\"Hesaidtherewasnosuchportrait,andthatifIwantedtobesureofitIcouldgotoBostonandseeformyself。Iexplainedthatmy\"lastnight\"meantagoodwhileago;thatIdidnotdoubthisassertionthattherewasnosuchportraittherenow,butthatIshouldcontinuetobelieveithadbeenthereatthetimeofthelady\'svisituntilsheshouldretractherstatementherself。Iwasatnotimevouchingforthetruthoftheremark,neverthelessIconsidereditworthpar。

  AndyetIamsorrytheladytoldme,sinceawoundwhichbringsmenohappinesshasresulted。IammostwillingtoapplysuchsalveasIcan。

  Thebestwaytosetthematterrightandmakeeverythingpleasantandagreeableallaroundwillbetoprintinthisplaceadescriptionoftheshrineasitappearedtoarecentvisitor,Mr。FrederickW。Peabody,ofBoston。Iwillcopyhisnewspaperaccount,andthereaderwillseethatMrs。Eddy\'sportraitisnottherenow:

  \"WelatelystoodonthethresholdoftheHolyofHoliesoftheMother-

  Church,andwithacrowdofworshipperspatientlywaitedforadmittancetothehallowedprecinctsofthe\'Mother\'sRoom。\'Overthedoorwaywasasigninformingusthatbutfourpersonsatatimewouldbeadmitted;thattheywouldbepermittedtoremainbutfiveminutesonly,andwouldpleaseretirefromthe\'Mother\'sRoom\'attheringingofthebell。Enteringwiththreeofthefaithful,welookedwithprofaneeyesupontheconsecratedfurnishings。Ashow-womaninattendancemonotonouslyannouncedthecharacterofthedifferentappointments。Setinarecessofthewallandilluminedwithelectriclightwasanoil-paintingtheshow-womanseriouslydeclaredtobealifelikeandrealisticpictureoftheChairinwhichtheMothersatwhenshecomposedher\'inspired\'work。

  Itwasapictureofanold-fashioned?country,hairclothrocking-chair,andanexceedinglycommonplace-lookingtablewithapileofmanuscript,anink-bottle,andpenconspicuouslyuponit。Onthefloorweresheetsofmanuscript。\'Themantel-pieceisofpureonyx,\'continuedtheshow-

  woman,\'andthebeehiveuponthewindow-sillismadefromonesolidblockofonyx;therugismadeofahundredbreastsofeider-downducks,andthetoilet-roomyouseeinthecornerisofthelatestdesign,withgold-

  plateddrain-pipes;thepaintedwindowsarefromtheMother\'spoem,\"ChristandChristmas,\"andthatcasecontainscompletecopiesofalltheMother\'sbooks。\'ThechairsuponwhichthesacredpersonoftheMotherhadreposedwereprotectedfromsacrilegioustouchbyabroadbandofsatinribbon。Mycompanionsexpressedtheiradmirationinsubduedandreverenttones,andatthetinklingofthebellwereverentlytiptoedoutoftheroomtoadmitanotherdelegationofthepatientwaitersatthedoor。\"

  Now,then,Ihopethewoundishealed。Iamwillingtorelinquishtheportrait,andcompromiseontheChair。Atthesametime,ifIweregoingtoworshipeither,IshouldnotchoosetheChair。

  Asapicturesquelyandpersistentlyinterestingpersonage,thereisnomatetoMrs。Eddy,theacceptedEqualoftheSaviour。ButsomeofhertastesaresodifferentfromHis!IfinditquiteimpossibletoimagineHim,inlife,standingsponsorforthatmuseumthere,andtakingpleasureinitssumptuousshows。IbelieveHewouldputthatChairinthefire,andthebellalongwithit;andIthinkHewouldmaketheshow-womangoaway。IthinkHewouldbreakthoseelectricbulbs,andthe\"mantel-pieceofpureonyx,\"andsayreproachfulthingsaboutthegoldendrain-pipesofthelavatory,andgivethecostlyrugofduck-breaststothepoor,andseverthesatinribbonandinvitethewearytorestandeasetheirachesintheconsecratedchairs。WhatHewoulddowiththepaintedwindowswecanbetterconjecturewhenwecomepresentlytoexaminetheirpeculiarities。

  THECHRISTIANSCIENCEPASTOR-UNIVERSAL

  WhenMrs。EddyturnedthepastorsoutofalltheChristianSciencechurchesandabolishedtheofficeforalltimeasfarashumanoccupancyisconcerned——sheappointedtheHolyGhosttofilltheirplace。Ifthislanguagebeblasphemous,Ididnotinventtheblasphemy,Iammerelystatingafact。Iwillquotefrompage227ofScienceandHealth(edition1899),asafirststeptowardsanexplanationofthisstartlingmatter——apassagewhichsetsforthandclassifiestheChristianScienceTrinity:

  \"Life,Truth,andLoveconstitutethetriuneGod,ortriplydivinePrinciple。Theyrepresentatrinityinunity,threeinone——thesameinessence,thoughmultiforminoffice:GodtheFather;ChristthetypeofSonship;DivineScience,ortheHolyComforter……

  \"TheHolyGhost,orSpirit,revealsthistriunePrinciple,and(theHolyGhost)isexpressedinDivineScience,whichistheComforter,leadingintoallTruth,andrevealingthedivinePrincipleoftheuniverse——

  universalandperpetualharmony。\"

  Iwillciteanotherpassage。SpeakingofJesus——

  \"HisstudentsthenreceivedtheHolyGhost。Bythisismeant,thatbyalltheyhadwitnessedandsufferedtheywererousedtoanenlargedunderstandingofDivineScience,eventothespiritualinterpretation……ofHisteachings,\"etc。

  Also,page579,inthechaptercalledtheGlossary:

  \"HOLYGHOST。DivineScience;thedevelopmentsofLife,Truth,andLove。\"

  TheHolyGhostrevealsthemassedspiritofthefusedtrinity;thismassedspiritisexpressedinDivineScience,andistheComforter;

  DivineScienceconveystomenthe\"spiritualinterpretation\"oftheSaviour\'steachings。Thatseemstobethemeaningofthequotedpassages。

  DivineScienceisChristianScience;thebookScienceandHealthisa\"revelation\"ofthewholespiritoftheTrinity,andistherefore\"TheHolyGhost\";itconveystomenthe\"spiritualinterpretation\"oftheBible\'steachings。andthereforeis\"theComforter。\"

  Idonotfindthisanalyzingworkeasy,Iwouldrathersawwood;andapersoncannevertellwhetherhehasaddedupaScienceandHealthsumrightornot,anyway,afterallhistrouble。NeithercanheeasilyfindoutwhetherthetextsarestillonthemarketorhavebeendiscardedfromtheBook;fortwohundredandfifty-eighteditionsofithavebeenissued,andnotwoeditionsseemtobealike。Theannualchanges——intechnicalterminology;inmatterandwording;intranspositionsofchaptersandverses;inleavingoutoldchaptersandversesandputtinginnewones——seemtobenexttoinnumerable,andasthereisnoindex,thereisnowaytofindathingonewantswithoutreadingthebookthrough。IfeverIinspireaBible-AnnexIwillnotrushatitinahalf-digested,helter-skelterwayandhavetoputinthirty-eightyearstryingtogetsomeofitthewayIwantit,IwillsitdownandthinkitoutandknowwhatitisIwanttosaybeforeIbegin。AninspirercannotinspireforMrs。Eddyandkeephisreputation。Ihaveneverseensuchslipshodwork,barthetenthatinterpretedforthehomemarketthe\"sellallthouhast。\"Ihavequotedone\"spiritual\"renderingoftheLord\'sPrayer,Ihaveseenoneotherone,andamtoldtherearefivemore。YettheinspirerofMrs。EddythenewInfalliblecastsacomplacentcriticalstoneattheotherInfallibleforbeingunabletomakeupitsmindaboutsuchthings。ScienceandHealth,edition1899,page33:

  \"Thedecisions,byvoteofChurchCouncils,astowhatshouldandshouldnotbeconsideredHolyWrit,themanifestmistakesintheancientversions:thethirtythousanddifferentreadingsintheOldTestamentandthethreehundredthousandintheNew——thesefactsshowhowamortalandmaterialsensestoleintothedivinerecord,darkening,tosomeextent,theinspiredpageswithitsownhue。\"

  Tosomeextent,yes——speakingcautiously。Butitisnothing,reallynothing;Mrs。Eddyisonlyalittlewaybehind,andifherinspirerlivestogetherAnnextosuithimthatCatholicrecordwillhaveto\"go\'waybackandsetdown,\"astheballadsays。ListentotheboastfulsongofMrs。Eddy\'sorgan,theChristianScienceJournalforMarch,1902,aboutthatyear\'srevampingandhalf-solingofScienceandHealth,whoseofficialnameistheHolyGhost,theComforter,andwhoisnowtheOfficialPastorandInfallibleandUnerringGuideofeveryChristianSciencechurchinthetwohemispheres,hearSimpleSimonthatmetthepiemanbragoftheInfallible\'sfallibility:

  \"ThroughouttheentirebooktheverbalchangesaresonumerousastoindicatethevastamountoftimeandlaborMrs。Eddyhasdevotedtothisrevision。Thetimeandlaborthusbestowedisrelativelyasgreatasthatof——thecommitteewhorevisedtheBible……ThuswehaveadditionalevidenceoftheherculeaneffortsourbelovedLeaderhasmadeandisconstantlymakingforthepromulgationofTruthandthefurtheranceofherdivinelybestowedmission,\"etc。

  Itisasteadyjob。Icouldhelpinspireifdesired;Iamnotdoingmuchnow,andwouldworkforhalf-price,andshouldnotobjecttothecountry。

  PRICEOFTHEPASTOR-UNIVERSAL

  ThepriceofthePastor-Universal,ScienceandHealth,calledinScienceliteraturetheComforter——andbythatothersacredName——isthreedollarsincloth,asheretofore,sixwhenitisfinelybound,andshapedtoimitatetheTestament,andisbrokenintoverses。Marginofprofitabovecostofmanufacture,fromfivehundredtosevenhundredpercent。,asalreadynotedIntheprofanesubscription-trade,itcoststhepublisherheavilytocanvassathree-dollarbook;hemustpaythegeneralagentsixtypercent。commission——thatistosay,onedollarandeighty-

  cents。Mrs。Eddyescapesthisblisteringtax,becausesheownstheChristianSciencecanvasser,andcancompelhimtoworkfornothing。

  Readthefollowingcommand——notrequest——fulminatedbyMrs。Eddy,overhersignature,intheChristianScienceJournalforMarch,1897,andquotedbyMr。Peabodyinhisbook。ThebookreferredtoisScienceandHealth:

  \"ItshallbethedutyofallChristianScientiststocirculateandtosellasmanyofthesebooksastheycan。\"

  Thatisflungatalltheelect,everywherethatthesunshines,butnopenaltyisshakenovertheirheadstoscarethem。Thesamecommandwasissuedtothemembers(numberingto-daytwenty-fivethousand)ofTheMother-Church,also,butwithitwentathreat,oftheinfliction,incaseofdisobedience,ofthemostdreadedpunishmentthathasaplaceintheChurch\'slistofpenaltiesfortransgressionsofMrs。Eddy\'sedicts——excommunication:

  \"IfamemberofTheFirstChurchofChrist,Scientist,shallfailtoobeythisinjunction,itwillrenderhimliabletolosehismembershipinthisChurch。MARYBAKEREDDY。\"

  ItisthespiritoftheSpanishInquisition。

  Nonebutacceptedandwellestablishedgodscanventureanaffrontlikethatanddoitwithconfidence。Butthehumanracewilltakeanythingfromthatclass。Mrs。Eddyknowsthehumanrace;knowsitbetterthananymerehumanbeinghasknownitinathousandcenturies。Myconfidenceinherhuman-beingshipisgettingshaken,myconfidenceinhergodshipisstiffening。

  SEVENHUNDREDPERCENT。

  AScientistoutWesthasvisitedabookseller——withintenttofindfaultwithme——andhasbroughtawaytheinformationthatthepriceatwhichMrs。EddysellsScienceandHealthisnotanunusuallyhighoneforthesizeandmakeofthebook。Thatistrue。Butinthebook-trade——thatprofit-devourerunknowntoMrs。Eddy\'sbook——athree-dollarbookthatismadeforthirty-fiveorfortycentsinlargeeditionsisputatthreedollarsbecausethepublisherhastopayauthor,middleman,andadvertising,andifthepriceweremuchbelowthreetheprofitaccruingwouldnotpayhimfairlyforhistimeandlabor。Atthesametime,ifhecouldgettendollarsforthebookhewouldtakeit,andhismoralswouldnotfallundercriticism。

  ButifhewereaninspiredpersoncommissionedbytheDeitytoreceiveandprintandspreadbroadcastamongsorrowingandsufferingandpoormenapreciousmessageofhealingandcheerandsalvation,hewouldhavetodoasBibleSocietiesdo——sellthebookatapinchedmarginabovecosttosuchascouldpay,andgiveitfreetoallthatcouldn\'t;andhisnamewouldbepraised。Butifhesolditatsevenhundredpercent。profitandputthemoneyinhispocket,hisnamewouldbemockedandderided。

  JustasMrs。Eddy\'sis。Andmostjustifiably,asitseemstome。

  ThecompleteBiblecontainsonemillionwords。TheNewTestamentbyitselfcontainstwohundredandfortythousandwords。

  My\'84editionofScienceandHealthcontainsonehundredandtwentythousandwords——justhalfasmanyastheNewTestament。

  ScienceandHealthhassincebeensoinflatedbylaterinspirationsthatthe1902editioncontainsonehundredandeightythousandwords——notcountingthethirtythousandattheback,devotedbyMrs。Eddytoadvertisingthebook\'shealingabilities——andtheinspiringcontinuesrightalong。

  Ifyouhaveabookwhosemarketissosureandsogreatthatyoucangiveaprinteraneverlastingorderforthirtyorfortyorfiftythousandcopiesayearhewillfurnishthematacheaprate,becausewheneverthereisaslacktimeinhispress-roomandbinderyhecanfilltheidleintervalsonyourbookandbemakingsomethinginsteadoflosing。ThatisthekindofcontractthatcanbeletonScienceandHealtheveryyear。

  Iamobligedtodoubtthatthethree-dollarScienceandHealthcostsMrs。

  Eddyabovefifteencents,orthatthesixdollarcopycostsheraboveeightycents。Ifeelquitesurethattheaverageprofittoheronthesebooks,abovecostofmanufacture,isallofsevenhundredpercent。

  EveryproperChristianScientisthastobuyandown(andcanvassfor)

  ScienceandHealth(onehundredandeightythousandwords),andhemustalsoownaBible(onemillionwords)。Hecanbuytheoneforfromthreetosixdollars,andtheotherforfifteencents。Or,ifthreedollarsisallthemoneyhehas,hecangethisBiblefornothing。WhentheSupremeBeingdisseminatesasavingMessagethroughuninspiredagents——theNewTestament,forinstance——itcanbedoneforfivecentsacopy,butwhenHesendsonecontainingonlytwo-thirdsasmanywordsthroughtheshopofaDivinePersonage,itcostssixtytimesasmuch。Ithinkthatinmattersofsuchimportanceitisbadeconomytoemployawild-catagency。

  Herearesomefigureswhichareperfectlyauthentic,andwhichseemtojustifymyopinion。

  \"These[Bible]societies,inspiredonlybyasenseofreligiousduty,areissuingtheBibleatapricesosmallthattheyhavemadeitthecheapestbookprinted。Forexample,theAmericanBibleSocietyoffersaneditionofthewholeBibleaslowasfifteencentsandtheNewTestamentatfivecents,andtheBritishSocietyatsixpenceandonepenny,respectively。

  Theselowprices,madepossiblebytheirpolicyofsellingthebooksatcostorbelowcost,\"etc。——NewYorkSun,February25,1903。

  CHAPTERIX

  Wemaynowmakeafinalfooting-upofMrs。Eddy,andseewhatsheis,inthefulnessofherpowers。SheisTheMassachusettsMetaphysicalCollegePastorEmeritus;

  President;

  BoardofDirectors;

  BoardofEducation;

  BoardofLectureships;

  FutureBoardofTrustees,ProprietorofthePublishing-HouseandPeriodicals;

  Treasurer;

  Clerk;

  ProprietoroftheTeachers;

  ProprietoroftheLecturers;

  ProprietoroftheMissionaries;

  ProprietoroftheReaders;

  DictatoroftheServices;soleVoiceofthePulpit;

  ProprietoroftheSanhedrin;

  SoleProprietoroftheCreed。(Copyrighted。);

  IndisputableAutocratoftheBranchChurches,withtheirlifeanddeathinherhands;

  SoleThinkerforTheFirstChurch(andtheothers);

  SoleandInfallibleExpounderofDoctrine,inlifeandindeath;

  SolepermissibleDiscoverer,Denouncer,Judge,andExecutionerofOstensibleHypnotists;

  Fifty-handedGodofExcommunication——withathunderboltineveryhand;

  AppointerandInstallerofthePastorofalltheChurches——thePerpetualPastor-Universal,ScienceandHealth,\"theComforter。\"

  CHAPTERX

  Thereshestands-paintedbyherself。Nowitnessbutherselfhasbeenallowedtotestify。Shestandstherepaintedbyheracts,anddecoratedbyherwords。Whenshetalks,shehasonlyadecorativevalueasawitness,eitherfororagainstherself,forshedealsmainlyinunsupportedassertion;andintherarecaseswheresheputsforwardaverifiablefactshegetsoutofitameaningwhichitrefusestofurnishtoanybodyelse。Also,whenshetalks,sheisunstable,shewanders,sheisincurablyinconsistent;whatshesaysto-dayshecontradictstomorrow。

  Butheractsareconsistent。Theyarealwaysfaithfultoher,theynevermisinterprether,theyareamirrorwhichalwaysreflectsherexactly,precisely,minutely,unerringly,andalwaysthesame,todate,withonlythoseprogressivelittlenaturalchangesinstature,dress,complexion,mood,andcarriagethatmark——exteriorly——themarchoftheyearsandrecordtheaccumulationsofexperience,while——interiorly——throughallthissteadydriftofevolutiontheoneessentialdetail,thecommandingdetail,themasterdetailofthemake-upremainsasitwasinthebeginning,suffersnochangeandcansuffernone;thebasisofthecharacter;thetemperament,thedisposition,thatindestructibleironframeworkuponwhichthecharacterisbuilt,andwhoseshapeitmusttake,andkeep,throughoutlife。Wecallitaperson\'snature。

  Themanwhoisbornstingycanbetaughttogiveliberally——withhishands;butnotwithhisheart。Themanbornkindandcompassionatecanhavethatdispositioncrusheddownoutofsightbyembitteringexperience;butifitwereanorganthepost-mortemwouldfinditstillinhiscorpse。Themanbornambitiousofpowerandglorymaylivelongwithoutfindingitout,butwhentheopportunitycomeshewillknow,willstrikeforthelargestthingwithinthelimitofhischancesatthetime-

  constable,perhaps——andwillbegladandproudwhenhegetsit,andwillwritehomeaboutit。Buthewillnotstopwiththatstart;hisappetitewillcomeagain;andby-and-byagain,andyetagain;andwhenhehasclimbedtopolicecommissioneritwillatlastbegintodawnuponhimthatwhathisNapoleonsoulwantsandwasbornforissomethingawayhigherup——hedoesnotquiteknowwhat,butCircumstanceandOpportunitywillindicatethedirectionandhewillcutaroadthroughandfindout。

  IthinkMrs。Eddywasbornwithafar-seeingbusiness-eye,butdidnotknowit;andwithagreatorganizingandexecutivetalent,anddidnotknowit;andwithalargeappetiteforpoweranddistinction,anddidnotknowit。IthinkthereasonthathermakedidnotshowupuntilmiddlelifewasthatshehadGeneralGrant\'sluck——CircumstanceandOpportunitydidnotcomeherwaywhenshewasyounger。Thequalitiesthatwereborninherhadtowaitforcircumstanceandopportunity——buttheywerethere:

  theyweretheretostay,whethertheyevergotachancetofructifyornot。Iftheyhadcomeearly,theywouldhavefoundherreadyandcompetent。Andthey——notshe——wouldhavedeterminedwhattheywouldsetheratandwhattheywouldmakeofher。Iftheyhadelectedtocommissionherassecond-assistantcookinabankruptboarding-house,Iknowtherestofit——Iknowwhatwouldhavehappened。Shewouldhaveownedtheboarding-housewithinsixmonths;shewouldhavehadthelateproprietoronsalaryandhumpinghimself,astheworldlysay;shewouldhavehadthatboarding-housespewingmoneylikeamint;shewouldhaveworkedtheservantsandthelatelandlorduptothelimit;shewouldhavesqueezedtheboarderstilltheywailed,andbysomemysteriousqualityborninhershewouldhavekepttheaffectionsofcertainofthelotwhoseloveandesteemshevalued,andflungtheothersdownthebackarea;intwoyearsshewouldownalltheboarding-housesinthetown,infivealltheboarding-housesintheState,intwentyallthehotelsinAmerica,infortyallthehotelsontheplanet,andwouldsitathomewithherfingeronabuttonandgovernthewholecombinationaseasilyasabench-managergovernsadog-show。

  Itwouldbeagrandthingtosee,andIfeelakindofdisappointment——

  butnevermind,areligionisbetterandlarger;andthereismoretoit。

  AndIhavenotbeensteepingmyselfinChristianSciencealltheseweekswithoutfindingoutthattheonesensiblethingtodowithadisappointmentistoputitoutofyourmindandthinkofsomethingcheerfuler。

  WeoutsiderscannotconceiveofMrs。Eddy\'sChristianScienceReligionasbeingasuddenandmiraculousbirth,butonlyasagrowthfromaseedplantedbycircumstances,anddevelopedstagebystagebycommandandcompulsionofthesameforce。Whatthestageswerewecannotknow,butareprivilegedtoguess。Shemayhavegottenthemental-healingideafromQuimby——ithadbeenexperimentedwithforages,andwasnoone\'sspecialproperty。[Forthepresent,forconvenience\'sake,letusproceeduponthehypothesisthatthatwasallshegotofhim,andthatsheputuptherestoftheassetsherself。Thiswillstrainus,butletustryit。]Ineachandallitsformsandunderallitsmanynames,mentalhealinghadhadlimits,always,andtheywererathernarrowones——

  Mrs。Eddy,letusimagine,removedthefence,abolishedthefrontiers。

  Notbyexpandingmental-healing,butbyabsorbingitssmallbulkintothevasterbulkofChristianScience——DivineScience,TheHolyGhost,theComforter——whichwasaquitedifferentandsublimerforce,andonewhichhadlonglaindormantandunemployed。

  TheChristianScientistbelievesthattheSpiritofGod(lifeandlove)

  pervadestheuniverselikeanatmosphere;thatwhosowillstudyScienceandHealthcangetfromitthesecretofhowtoinhalethattransformingair;thattobreatheitistobemadenew;thatfromthenewmanallsorrow,allcare,allmiseriesofthemindvanishaway,forthatonlypeace,contentmentandmeasurelessjoycanliveinthatdivinefluid;

  thatitpurifiesthebodyfromdisease,whichisaviciouscreationofthegrosshumanmind,andcannotcontinuetoexistinthepresenceoftheImmortalMind,therenewingSpiritofGod。

  TheScientistfindsthisreasonable,natural,andnothardertobelievethanthatthediseasegerm,acreatureofdarkness,perisheswhenexposedtothelightofthegreatsun——anewrevelationofprofanesciencewhichnoonedoubts。Heremindsusthattheactinicray,shininguponlupus,curesit——ahorriblediseasewhichwasincurablefifteenyearsago,andhadbeenincurablefortenmillionyearsbefore;thatthiswonder,unbelievablebythephysiciansatfirst,isbelievedbythemnow;andsoheistranquillyconfidentthatthetimeiscomingwhentheworldwillbeeducateduptoapointwhereitwillcomprehendandgrantthatthelightoftheSpiritofGod,shiningunobstructeduponthesoul,isanactinicraywhichcanpurgebothmindandbodyfromdiseaseandsetthemfreeandmakethemwhole。

  Itisapparent,then,thatinChristianScienceitisnotoneman\'smindactinguponanotherman\'smindthatheals;thatitissolelytheSpiritofGodthatheals;thatthehealer\'smindperformsnoofficebuttoconveythatforcetothepatient;thatitismerelythewirewhichcarriestheelectricfluid,sotospeak,anddeliversthemessage。

  Therefore,ifthesethingsbetrue,mental-healingandScience-healingareseparateanddistinctprocesses,andnokinshipexistsbetweenthem。

  Tohealthebodyofitsillsandpainsisamightybenefaction,butinourdayourphysiciansandsurgeonsworkathousandmiracles——prodigieswhichwouldhaverankedasmiraclesfiftyyearsago——andtheyhavesogreatlyextendedtheirdominationoverdiseasethatwefeelsowellprotectedthatweareabletolookwithagooddealofcomposureandabsenceofhystericsupontheclaimsofnewcompetitorsinthatfield。

  Butthereisamightierbenefactionthanthehealingofthebody,andthatisthehealingofthespirit——whichisChristianScience\'sotherclaim。SofarasIknow,sofarasIcanfindout,itmakesitgood。

  PersonallyIhavenotknownaScientistwhodidnotseemserene,contented,unharassed。IhavenotfoundanoutsiderwhoseobservationofScientistsfurnishedhimaviewthatdifferedfrommyown。Buoyantspirits,comfortofmind,freedomfromcarethesehappinessesweallhave,atintervals;butinthespacesbetween,dearme,theblackhours!

  TheyhaveputacurseuponthelifeofeveryhumanbeingIhaveeverknown,youngorold。Iconcedenotasingleexception。UnlessitmightbethoseScientistsjustreferredto。Theymayhavebeenplayingapartwithme;Ihopetheywerenot,andIbelievetheywerenot。

  TimewilltesttheScience\'sclaim。Iftimeshallmakeitgood;iftimeshallprovethattheSciencecanhealthepersecutedspiritofmanandbanishitstroublesandkeepitsereneandsunnyandcontent——why,thenMrs。Eddywillhaveamonumentthatwillreachabovetheclouds。Forifshedidnothituponthatimperialideaandevolveitanddeliverit,itsdiscoverercanneverbeidentifiedwithcertainty,now,Ithink。Itisthegiantfeature,itisthesunthatridesinthezenithofChristianScience,theauxiliaryfeaturesareofminorconsequence[Letusstillleavethelarge\"if\"aside,forthepresent,andproceedasifithadnoexistence。]

  ItisnotsupposablethatMrs。Eddyrealized,atfirst,thesizeofherplunder。(No,find——thatistheword;shedidnotrealizethesizeofherfind,atfirst。)Ithadtogrowuponher,bydegrees,inaccordancewiththeinalterablecustomofCircumstance,whichworksbystages,andbystagesonly,andneverfurnishesanymindwithallthematerialsforalargeideaatonetime。

  Inthebeginning,Mrs。Eddywasprobablyinterestedmerelyinthemental-

  healingdetailAndperhapsmainlyinterestedinitpecuniary,forshewaspoor。

  Shewouldsucceedinanythingsheundertook。Shewouldattractpupils,andhercommercewouldgrow。Shewouldinspireinpatientandpupilconfidenceinherearnestness,herhistoryisevidencethatshewouldnotfailofthat。

  Thereprobablycameatime,induecourse,whenherstudentsbegantothinktherewassomethingdeeperinherteachingsthantheyhadbeensuspecting——amysterybeyondmental-healing,andhigher。Itisconceivablethatbyconsequencetheirmannertowardsherchangedlittlebylittle,andfromrespectfulbecamereverent。Itisconceivablethatthiswouldhaveaninfluenceuponher;thatitwouldinclinehertowonderiftheirsecretthought——thatshewasinspired——mightnotbeawell-groundedguess。Itisconceivablethatastimewentonthethoughtintheirmindsanditsreflectioninhersmightsolidifyintoconviction。

  Shewouldremember,then,thatasachildshehadbeencalled,morethanonce,byamysteriousvoice——justashadhappenedtolittleSamuel。

  (MentionedinherAutobiography。)Shewouldbeimpressedbythatancientreminiscence,now,anditcouldhaveapropheticmeaningforher。

  Itisconceivablethatthepersuasiveinfluencesaroundherandwithinherwouldgiveanewandpowerfulimpulsetoherphilosophizings,andthatfromthis,intime,wouldresultthatgreatbirth,thehealingofbodyandmindbytheinpouringoftheSpiritofGod——thecentralanddominantideaofChristianScience——andthatwhenthisideacameshewouldnotdoubtthatitwasaninspirationdirectfromHeaven。

  CHAPTERXI

  [Imustrestalittle,now。TosithereandpainstakinglyspinoutaschemewhichimaginesMrs。Eddy,ofallpeople,workinghermindonaplaneabovecommercialism;imaginesherthinking,philosophizing,discoveringmajesticthings;andevenimaginesherdealinginsincerities——tobefrank,IfinditalargecontractButIhavebegunit,andIwillgothroughwithit。]

  CHAPTERXII

  Itisevidentthatshemadedisciplesfast,andthattheirbeliefinherandintheauthenticityofherheavenlyambassadorshipwasnotofthelukewarmandhalf-waysort,butwasprofoundlyearnestandsincere。Herbookwasissuedfromthepressin1875,itbeganitsworkofconvert-

  making,andwithinsixyearsshehadsuccessfullylaunchedanewReligionandanewsystemofhealing,andwasteachingthemtocrowdsofeagerstudentsinaCollegeofherown,atpricessoextraordinarythatwearealmostcompelledtoacceptherstatement(no,herguardedintimation)

  thattherateswerearrangedonhigh,sinceamerehumanbeingunacquaintedwithcommerceandaccustomedtothinkinpenniescouldhardlyputupsuchahandasthatwithoutsupernaturalhelp。

  Fromthisstageonward——Mrs。Eddybeingwhatshewas——therestofthedevelopment——stageswouldfollownaturallyandinevitably。

  Butifshehadbeenanybodyelse,therewouldhavebeenadifferentarrangementofthem,withdifferentresults。Beingtheextraordinarypersonshewas,sherealizedherpositionanditspossibilities;realizedthepossibilities,andhadthedaringtousethemforalltheywereworth。

  Wehaveseenwhathermethodswereaftershepassedthestagewhereherdivineambassadorshipwasgranteditsexecuterintheheartsandmindsofherfollowers;wehaveseenhowsteadyandfearlessandcalculatedandorderlywashermarchthenceforthfromconquesttoconquest;wehaveseenherstrikedead,withouthesitancy,anyhostileorquestionableforcethatroseinherpath:first,thehordeofpretendersthatsprangupandtriedtotakeherScienceanditsmarketawayfromher——shecrushedthem,sheobliteratedthem;whenherownNationalChristianScienceAssociationbecamegreatinnumbersandinfluence,andlooselyanddangerouslygarrulous,andbegantoexpoundthedoctrinesaccordingtoitsownuninspirednotions,shetookupherspongewithoutatremoroffearandwipedthatAssociationout;whensheperceivedthatthepreachersinherpulpitswerebecomingafflictedwithdoctrine-tinkering,sherecognizedthedangerofit,anddidnothesitatenortemporize,butpromptlydismissedthewholeoftheminaday,andabolishedtheirofficepermanently;wehaveseenthat,asfastasherpowergrew,shewascompetenttotakethemeasureofit,andthatasfastasitsexpansionsuggestedtohergraduallyawakeningnativeambitionahigherstepshetookit;andso,bythisevolutionaryprocess,wehaveseenthegrossmoney-lustrelegatedtosecondplace,andthelustofempireandgloryriseaboveit。Asplendiddream;andbyforceofthequalitiesborninhersheismakingitcometrue。

  Thesequalities——andthecapacitiesgrowingoutofthembythenurturinginfluencesoftraining,observation,andexperienceseemtobeclearlyindicatedbythecharacterofhercareeranditsachievements。Theyseemtobe:

  Aclearheadforbusiness,andaphenomenallylongone;

  Clearunderstandingofbusinesssituations;

  Accuracyinestimatingtheopportunitiestheyoffer;

  Intelligenceinplanningabusinessmove;

  Firmnessinstickingtoitafterithasbeendecidedupon;

  Extraordinarydaring;

  Indestructiblepersistency;

  Devouringambition;

  Limitlessselfishness;

  Aknowledgeoftheweaknessesandpovertiesanddocilitiesofhumannatureandhowtoturnthemtoaccountwhichhasneverbeensurpassed,ifeverequalled;

  And——necessarily——thefoundation-stoneofMrs。Eddy\'scharacterisanever-waveringconfidenceinherself。

  Itisagranitecharacter。And——quitenaturally——ameasureofthetalcofsmallnessescommontohumannatureismixedupinitanddistributedthroughit。WhenMrs。EddyisnotdictatingservilitiesfromherthroneinthecloudstoherofficialdomesticsinBostonortoherfar-spreadsubjectsroundabouttheplanet,butisdownontheground,sheiskintousandoneofus:sentimentalasagirl,garrulous,ungrammatical,incomprehensible,affected,vainofherlittlehumanancestry,unstable,inconsistent,unreliableinstatement,andnaivelyandeverlastinglyself-contradictory-oh,trivialandcommonandcommonplaceasthecommonestofus!justaNapoleonasMadamedeRemusatsawhim,abrassgodwithclaylegs。

  CHAPTERXIII

  IndrawingMrs。Eddy\'sportraitithasbeenmypurposetorestrictmyselftomaterialsfurnishedbyherself,andIbelieveIhavedonethat。IfI

  havemisinterpretedanyofheracts,itwasnotdoneintentionally。

  Itwillbenoticedthatinskeletonizingalistofthequalitieswhichhavecarriedhertothedizzysummitwhichsheoccupies,Ihavenotmentionedthepowerwhichwasthecommandingforceemployedinachievingthatloftyflight。Itdidnotbelonginthatlist;itwasaforcethatwasnotadetailofhercharacter,butwasanoutsideone。Itwasthepowerwhichproceededfromherpeople\'srecognitionofherasasupernaturalpersonage,conveyeroftheLatestWord,anddivinelycommissionedtodeliverittotheworld。Theformwhichsucharecognitiontakes,consciouslyorunconsciously,isworship;andworshipdoesnotquestionnorcriticize,itobeys。Theobjectofitdoesnotneedtocoddleit,bribeit,beguileit,reasonwithit,convinceit——itcommandsit;thatissufficient;theobediencerenderedisnotreluctant,butpromptandwhole-hearted。AdmirationforaNapoleon,confidenceinhim,prideinhim,affectionforhim,canlifthimhighandcarryhimfar;andtheseareformsofworship,andarestrongforces,buttheyareworshipofamerehumanbeing,afterall,andareinfinitelyfeeble,ascomparedwiththosethataregeneratedbythatotherworship,theworshipofadivinepersonage。Mrs。Eddyhasthisefficientworship,thismassedandcentralizedforce,thisforcewhichisindifferenttoopposition,untroubledbyfear,andgoestobattlesinging,likeCromwell\'ssoldiers;

  andwhileshehasitshecancommandanditwillobey,andmaintainheronherthrone,andextendherempire。

  Shewillhaveituntilshedies;andthenweshallseeacuriousandinterestingfurtherdevelopmentofherrevolutionaryworkbegin。

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