CHRISTIANSCIENCE
PREFACE
BOOKIofthisvolumeoccupiesaquarterorathirdofthevolume，andconsistsofmatterwrittenaboutfouryearsago，butnothithertopublishedinbookform。Itcontainederrorsofjudgmentandoffact。
Ihavenowcorrectedthesetothebestofmyabilityandlaterknowledge。
BookIIwaswrittenatthebeginningof1903，andhasnotuntilnowappearedinanyform。Initmypurposehasbeentopresentacharacter-
portraitofMrs。Eddy，drawnfromherownactsandwordssolely，notfromhearsayandrumor；andtoexplainthenatureandscopeofherMonarchy，asrevealedintheLawsbywhichshegovernsit，andwhichshewroteherself。
MARKTWAIN
NEWYORK。January，1907。
BOOKICHRISTIANSCIENCE
\"Itisthefirsttimesincethedawn-daysofCreationthataVoicehasgonecrashingthroughspacewithsuchplacidandcomplacentconfidenceandcommand。\"
CHAPTERI
VIENNA1899。
Thislastsummer，whenIwasonmywaybacktoViennafromtheAppetite-
Cureinthemountains，Ifelloveracliffinthetwilight，andbrokesomearmsandlegsandonethingoranother，andbygoodluckwasfoundbysomepeasantswhohadlostanass，andtheycarriedmetothenearesthabitation，whichwasoneofthoselarge，low，thatch-roofedfarm-houses，withapartmentsinthegarretforthefamily，andacunninglittleporchunderthedeepgabledecoratedwithboxesofbrightcoloredflowersandcats；onthegroundflooralargeandlightsitting-room，separatedfromthemilch-cattleapartmentbyapartition；andinthefrontyardrosestatelyandfinethewealthandprideofthehouse，themanure-pile。
ThatsentenceisGermanic，andshowsthatIamacquiringthatsortofmasteryoftheartandspiritofthelanguagewhichenablesamantotravelalldayinonesentencewithoutchangingcars。
Therewasavillageamileaway，andahorsedoctorlivedthere，buttherewasnosurgeon。Itseemedabadoutlook；minewasdistinctlyasurgerycase。ThenitwasrememberedthataladyfromBostonwassummeringinthatvillage，andshewasaChristianSciencedoctorandcouldcureanything。Soshewassentfor。Itwasnightbythistime，andshecouldnotconvenientlycome，butsentwordthatitwasnomatter，therewasnohurry，shewouldgiveme\"absenttreatment\"now，andcomeinthemorning；meantimeshebeggedmetomakemyselftranquilandcomfortableandrememberthattherewasnothingthematterwithme。
Ithoughttheremustbesomemistake。
\"DidyoutellherIwalkedoffacliffseventy-fivefeethigh？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andstruckaboulderatthebottomandbounced？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andstruckanotheroneandbouncedagain？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andstruckanotheroneandbouncedyetagain？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andbroketheboulders？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thataccountsforit；sheisthinkingoftheboulders。Whydidn\'tyoutellherIgothurt，too？\"
\"Idid。Itoldherwhatyoutoldmetotellher：thatyouwerenowbutanincoherentseriesofcompoundfracturesextendingfromyourscalp-locktoyourheels，andthatthecomminutedprojectionscausedyoutolooklikeahat-rack。\"
\"Anditwasafterthisthatshewishedmetorememberthattherewasnothingthematterwithme？\"
\"Thosewereherwords。\"
\"Idonotunderstandit。Ibelieveshehasnotdiagnosedthecasewithsufficientcare。Didshelooklikeapersonwhowastheorizing，ordidshelooklikeonewhohasfallenoffprecipicesherselfandbringstotheaidofabstractsciencetheconfirmationsofpersonalexperience？\"
\"Bitte？\"
ItwastoolargeacontractfortheStubenmadchen\'svocabulary；shecouldn\'tcallthehand。Iallowedthesubjecttorestthere，andaskedforsomethingtoeatandsmoke，andsomethinghottodrink，andabaskettopilemylegsin；butIcouldnothaveanyofthesethings。
\"Why？\"
\"Shesaidyouwouldneednothingatall。\"
\"ButIamhungryandthirsty，andindesperatepain。\"
\"Shesaidyouwouldhavethesedelusions，butmustpaynoattentiontothem。Shewantsyoutoparticularlyrememberthattherearenosuchthingsashungerandthirstandpain。\'\'
\"Shedoesdoesshe？\"
\"Itiswhatshesaid。\"
Doessheseemtobeinfullandfunctionablepossessionofherintellectualplant，suchasitis？\"
\"Bitte？\"
\"Dotheyletherrunatlarge，ordotheytieherup？\"
\"Tieherup？\"
\"There，good-night，runalong，youareagoodgirl，butyourmentalGeschirrisnotarrangedforlightandairyconversation。Leavemetomydelusions。\"
CHAPTERII
Itwasanightofanguish，ofcourse-atleast，Isupposeditwas，forithadallthesymptomsofit——butitpassedatlast，andtheChristianScientistcame，andIwasgladShewasmiddle-aged，andlargeandbony，anderect，andhadanausterefaceandaresolutejawandaRomanbeakandwasawidowinthethirddegree，andhernamewasFuller。Iwaseagertogettobusinessandfindrelief，butshewasdistressinglydeliberate。Sheunpinnedandunhookedanduncoupledherupholsteriesonebyone，abolishedthewrinkleswithaflirtofherhand，andhungthearticlesup；peeledoffherglovesanddisposedofthem，gotabookoutofherhand-bag，thendrewachairtothebedside，descendedintoitwithouthurry，andIhungoutmytongue。Shesaid，withpitybutwithoutpassion：
\"Returnittoitsreceptacle。Wedealwiththemindonly，notwithitsdumbservants。\"
Icouldnotoffermypulse，becausetheconnectionwasbroken；butshedetectedtheapologybeforeIcouldwordit，andindicatedbyanegativetiltofherheadthatthepulsewasanotherdumbservantthatshehadnousefor。ThenIthoughtIwouldtellhermysymptomsandhowIfelt，sothatshewouldunderstandthecase；butthatwasanotherinconsequence，shedidnotneedtoknowthosethings；moreover，myremarkabouthowI
feltwasanabuseoflanguage，amisapplicationofterms。
\"Onedoesnotfeel，\"sheexplained；\"thereisnosuchthingasfeeling：
therefore，tospeakofanon-existentthingasexistentisacontradiction。Matterhasnoexistence；nothingexistsbutmind；themindcannotfeelpain，itcanonlyimagineit。\"
\"Butifithurts，justthesame——\"
\"Itdoesn\'t。Athingwhichisunrealcannotexercisethefunctionsofreality。Painisunreal；hence，paincannothurt。\"
Inmakingasweepinggesturetoindicatetheactofshooingtheillusionofpainoutofthemind，sherakedherhandonapininherdress，said\"Ouch！\"andwenttranquillyonwithhertalk。\"Youshouldneverallowyourselftospeakofhowyoufeel，norpermitotherstoaskyouhowyouarefeeling；youshouldneverconcedethatyouareill，norpermitotherstotalkaboutdiseaseorpainordeathorsimilarnonexistencesinyourpresence。Suchtalkonlyencouragesthemindtocontinueitsemptyimaginings。\"JustatthatpointtheStuben-madchentrodonthecat\'stail，andthecatletflyafrenzyofcat-profanity。Iasked，withcaution：
\"Isacat\'sopinionaboutpainvaluable？\"
\"Acathasnoopinion；opinionsproceedfrommindonly；theloweranimals，beingeternallyperishable，havenotbeengrantedmind；withoutmind，opinionisimpossible。\"
\"Shemerelyimaginedshefeltapain——thecat？\"
\"Shecannotimagineapain，forimaginingisaneffectofmind；withoutmind，thereisnoimagination。Acathasnoimagination。\"
\"Thenshehadarealpain？\"
\"Ihavealreadytoldyouthereisnosuchthingasrealpain。\"
\"Itisstrangeandinteresting。Idowonderwhatwasthematterwiththecat。Because，therebeingnosuchthingasarealpain，andshenotbeingabletoimagineanimaginaryone，itwouldseemthatGodinHispityhascompensatedthecatwithsomekindofamysteriousemotionusablewhenhertailistroddenonwhich，forthemoment，joinscatandChristianinonecommonbrotherhoodof——\"
Shebrokeinwithanirritated——
\"Peace！Thecatfeelsnothing，theChristianfeelsnothing。Youremptyandfoolishimaginingsareprofanationandblasphemy，andcandoyouaninjury。Itiswiserandbetterandholiertorecognizeandconfessthatthereisnosuchthingasdiseaseorpainordeath。\"
\"Iamfullofimaginarytortures，\"Isaid，\"butIdonotthinkIcouldbeanymoreuncomfortableiftheywererealones。WhatmustIdotogetridofthem？\"
\"Thereisnooccasiontogetridofthem。sincetheydonotexist。Theyareillusionspropagatedbymatter，andmatterhasnoexistence；thereisnosuchthingasmatter。\"
\"Itsoundsrightandclear，butyetitseemsinadegreeelusive；itseemstoslipthrough，justwhenyouthinkyouaregettingagriponit。\"
\"Explain。\"
\"Well，forinstance：ifthereisnosuchthingasmatter，howcanmatterpropagatethings？\"
Inhercompassionshealmostsmiled。Shewouldhavesmilediftherewereanysuchthingasasmile。
\"Itisquitesimple，\"shesaid；\"thefundamentalpropositionsofChristianScienceexplainit，andtheyaresummarizedinthefourfollowingself-evidentpropositions：
1。GodisAllinall。
2。Godisgood。GoodisMind3。God，Spirit，beingall，nothingismatter4。Life，God，omnipotentGood，denydeath，evil，sin，disease。
There——nowyousee。\"
Itseemednebulous；itdidnotseemtosayanythingaboutthedifficultyinhand——hownon-existentmattercanpropagateillusionsIsaid，withsomehesitancy：
\"Does——doesitexplain？\"
\"Doesn\'tit？Evenifreadbackwarditwilldoit。\"
Withabuddinghope，Iaskedhertodoitbackwards。
\"Verywell。DiseasesinevildeathdenyGoodomnipotentGodlifematterisnothingallbeingSpiritGodMindisGoodgoodisGodallinAllisGod。Theredoyouunderstandnow？
\"It——it——well，itisplainerthanitwasbefore；still——\"
\"Well？\"
\"Couldyoutryitsomemoreways？\"
\"Asmanyasyoulike；italwaysmeansthesame。Interchangedinanywayyoupleaseitcannotbemadetomeananythingdifferentfromwhatitmeanswhenputinanyotherway。Becauseitisperfect。Youcanjumbleitallup，anditmakesnodifference：italwayscomesoutthewayitwasbefore。Itwasamarvelousmindthatproducedit。Asamentaltourdeforceitiswithoutamate，itdefiesalikethesimple，theconcrete，andtheoccult。\"
\"Itseemstobeacorker。\"
Iblushedfortheword，butitwasoutbeforeIcouldstopit。
\"Awhat？\"
\"A——wonderfulstructure——combination，sotospeak，ofprofoundthoughts——
unthinkableones——um——\"
Itistrue。Readbackward，orforward，orperpendicularly，oratanygivenangle，thesefourpropositionswillalwaysbefoundtoagreeinstatementandproof。\"
\"Ah——proof。Nowwearecomingatit。Thestatementsagree；theyagreewith——with——anyway，theyagree；Inoticedthat；butwhatisittheyproveImean，inparticular？\"
\"Why，nothingcouldbeclearer。Theyprove：
1。GOD——Principle，Life，Truth，Love，Soul，Spirit，Mind。Doyougetthat？\"
\"I——well，Iseemto。Goon，please。\"
\"2。MAN——God\'suniversalidea，individual，perfect，eternal。Isitclear？\"
\"It——Ithinkso。Continue。\"
\"3。IDEA——AnimageinMind；theimmediateobjectofunderstanding。
Thereitis——thewholesublimeArcanaofChristianScienceinanutshell。
Doyoufindaweakplaceinitanywhere？\"
\"Well——no；itseemsstrong。\"
\"VerywellThereismore。ThosethreeconstitutetheScientificDefinitionofImmortalMind。Next，wehavetheScientificDefinitionofMortalMind。Thus。FIRSTDEGREE：DepravityI。Physical-Passionsandappetites，fear，depravedwill，pride，envy，deceit，hatred，revenge，sin，disease，death。\"
\"Phantasms，madam——unrealities，asIunderstandit。\"
\"Everyone。SECONDDEGREE：EvilDisappearing。I。Moral-Honesty，affection，compassion，hope，faith，meekness，temperance。Isitclear？\"
\"Crystal。\"
\"THIRDDEGREE：SpiritualSalvation。I。Spiritual-Faith，wisdom，power，purity，understanding，health，love。Youseehowsearchinglyandco-
ordinatelyinterdependentandanthropomorphousitallis。InthisThirdDegree，asweknowbytherevelationsofChristianScience，mortalminddisappears。\"
\"Notearlier？\"
\"No，notuntiltheteachingandpreparationfortheThirdDegreearecompleted。\"
\"ItisnotuntilthenthatoneisenabledtotakeholdofChristianScienceeffectively，andwiththerightsenseofsympathyandkinship，asIunderstandyou。Thatistosay，itcouldnotsucceedduringtheprocessesoftheSecondDegree，becausetherewouldstillberemainsofmindleft；andtherefore——butIinterruptedyou。YouwereabouttofurtherexplainthegoodresultsproceedingfromtheerosionsanddisintegrationseffectedbytheThirdDegree。Itisveryinteresting；
goon，please。\"
\"Yes，asIwassaying，inthisThirdDegreemortalminddisappears。
Sciencesoreversestheevidencebeforethecorporealhumansensesastomakethisscripturaltestimonytrueinourhearts，\'thelastshallbefirstandthefirstshallbelast，\'thatGodandHisideamaybetous——
whatdivinityreallyis，andmustofnecessitybeall-inclusive。\"
\"Itisbeautiful。AndwithwhatexhaustiveexactnessyourchoiceandarrangementofwordsconfirmandestablishwhatyouhaveclaimedforthepowersandfunctionsoftheThirdDegree。TheSecondcouldprobablyproduceonlytemporaryabsenceofmind；itisreservedtotheThirdtomakeitpermanent。AsentenceframedundertheauspicesoftheSecondcouldhaveakindofmeaning——asortofdeceptivesemblanceofit——
whereasitisonlyunderthemagicoftheThirdthatthatdefectwoulddisappear。Also，withoutdoubt，itistheThirdDegreethatcontributesanotherremarkablespecialtytoChristianScience——viz。，easeandflowandlavishnessofwords，andrhythmandswingandsmoothness。Theremustbeaspecialreasonforthis？\"
\"Yes——God——all，all——God，goodGod，non-Matter，Matteration，Spirit，Bones，Truth。\"
\"Thatexplainsit。\"
\"ThereisnothinginChristianSciencethatisnotexplicable；forGodisone，Timeisone，Individualityisone，andmaybeoneofaseries，oneofmany，asanindividualman，individualhorse；whereasGodisone，notoneofaseries，butonealoneandwithoutanequal。\"
\"Thesearenoblethoughts。Theymakeoneburntoknowmore。HowdoesChristianScienceexplainthespiritualrelationofsystematicdualitytoincidentaldeflection？\"
\"ChristianSciencereversestheseemingrelationofSoulandbody——asastronomyreversesthehumanperceptionofthemovementofthesolarsystem——andmakesbodytributarytotheMind。Asitistheearthwhichisinmotion，Whilethesunisatrest，thoughinviewingthesunriseonefindsitimpossibletobelievethesunnottobereallyrising，sothebodyisbutthehumbleservantoftherestfulMind，thoughitseemsotherwisetofinitesense；butweshallneverunderstandthiswhileweadmitthatsoulisinbody，ormindinmatter，andthatmanisincludedinnon-intelligence。SoulisGod，unchangeableandeternal；andmancoexistswithandreflectsSoul，fortheAll-in-allistheAltogether，andtheAltogetherembracestheAll-one，Soul-Mind，Mind-Soul，Love，Spirit，Bones，Liver，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutanequal。\"
\"WhatistheoriginofChristianScience？IsitagiftofGod，ordiditjusthappen？\"
\"Inasense，itisagiftofGod。Thatistosay，itspowersarefromHim，butthecreditofthediscoveryofthepowersandwhattheyareforisduetoanAmericanlady。\"
\"Indeed？Whendidthisoccur？\"
\"In1866。Thatistheimmortaldatewhenpainanddiseaseanddeathdisappearedfromtheearthtoreturnnomoreforever。Thatis，thefanciesforwhichthosetermsstanddisappeared。Thethingsthemselveshadneverexisted；therefore，assoonasitwasperceivedthattherewerenosuchthings，theywereeasilybanished。Thehistoryandnatureofthegreatdiscoveryaresetdowninthebookhere，and——\"
\"Didtheladywritethebook？\"
\"Yes，shewroteitall，herself。ThetitleisScienceandHealth，withKeytotheScriptures——forsheexplainstheScriptures；theywerenotunderstoodbefore。NotevenbythetwelveDisciples。Shebeginsthus——
Iwillreadittoyou。\"
Butshehadforgottentobringherglasses。
\"Well，itisnomatter，\"shesaid。\"Irememberthewords——indeed，allChristianScientistsknowthebookbyheart；itisnecessaryinourpractice。Weshouldotherwisemakemistakesanddoharm。Shebeginsthus：\'Intheyear1866IdiscoveredtheScienceofMetaphysicalHealing，andnameditChristianScience。\'AndShesaysquitebeautifully，Ithink——\'ThroughChristianScience，religionandmedicineareinspiredwithadivinernatureandessence，freshpinionsaregiventofaithandunderstanding，andthoughtsacquaintthemselvesintelligentlywithGod。\'
Herverywords。\"
\"Itiselegant。Anditisafinethought，too——marryingreligiontomedicine，insteadofmedicinetotheundertakerintheoldway；forreligionandmedicineproperlybelongtogether，theybeingthebasisofallspiritualandphysicalhealth。Whatkindofmedicinedoyougivefortheordinarydiseases，suchas——\"
\"Wenevergivemedicineinanycircumstanceswhatever！We——\"
\"But，madam，itsays——\"
\"Idon\'tcarewhatitsays，andIdon\'twishtotalkaboutit。\"
\"IamsorryifIhaveoffended，butyouseethementionseemedinsomewayinconsistent，and——\"
\"TherearenoinconsistenciesinChristianScience。Thethingisimpossible，fortheScienceisabsolute。Itcannotbeotherwise，sinceitproceedsdirectlyfromtheAll-in-allandtheEverything-in-Which，alsoSoul，Bones，Truth，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal。ItisMathematicspurifiedfrommaterialdrossandmadespiritual。\"
\"Icanseethat，but——\"
\"ItrestsupontheimmovablebasisofanApodicticalPrinciple。\"
Thewordflatteneditselfagainstmymindintryingtogetin，anddisorderedmealittle，andbeforeIcouldinquireintoitspertinency，shewasalreadythrowingtheneededlight：
\"ThisApodicticalPrincipleistheabsolutePrincipleofScientificMind-
healing，thesovereignOmnipotencewhichdeliversthechildrenofmenfrompain，disease，decay，andeveryillthatfleshisheirto。\"
\"Surelynoteveryill，everydecay？\"
\"Everyone；therearenoexceptions；thereisnosuchthingasdecay——itisanunreality，ithasnoexistence。\"
\"Butwithoutyourglassesyourfailingeyesightdoesnotpermityouto——\"
\"Myeyesightcannotfail；nothingcanfail；theMindismaster，andtheMindpermitsnoretrogression。\"
ShewasundertheinspirationoftheThirdDegree，thereforetherecouldbenoprofitincontinuingthispartofthesubject。IshiftedtoothergroundandinquiredfurtherconcerningtheDiscovereroftheScience。
\"Didthediscoverycomesuddenly，likeKlondike，orafterlongstudyandcalculation，likeAmerica？\"
\"Thecomparisonsarenotrespectful，sincetheyrefertotrivialities——
butletitpass。IwillanswerintheDiscoverer\'sownwords：\'Godhadbeengraciouslyfittingme，duringmanyyears，forthereceptionofafinalrevelationoftheabsolutePrincipleofScientificMind-healing。\"
\"Manyyears。Howmany？\"
\"Eighteencenturies！\"
\"All——God，God——good，good——God，Truth，Bones，Liver，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal——itisamazing！\"
\"Youmaywellsayit，sir。YetitisbutthetruthThisAmericanlady，ourreveredandsacredFounder，isdistinctlyreferredto，andhercomingprophesied，inthetwelfthchapteroftheApocalypse；shecouldnothavebeenmoreplainlyindicatedbySt。Johnwithoutactuallymentioninghername。\"
\"Howstrange，howwonderful！\"
\"Iwillquoteherownwords，fromherKeytotheScriptures：\'ThetwelfthchapteroftheApocalypsehasaspecialsuggestivenessinconnectionwiththisnineteenthcentury。\'There——doyounotethat？Think——noteitwell。\"
\"But——whatdoesitmean？\"
\"Listen，andyouwillknow。Iquoteherinspiredwordsagain：\'IntheopeningoftheSixthSeal，typicalofsixthousandyearssinceAdam，thereisonedistinctivefeaturewhichhasspecialreferencetothepresentage。Thus：
\"\'Revelationxii。I。Andthereappearedagreatwonderinheaven——awomanclothedwiththesun，andthemoonunderherfeet，anduponherheadacrownoftwelvestars。\'
\"ThatisourHead，ourChief，ourDiscovererofChristianScience——
nothingcanbeplainer，nothingsurer。Andnotethis：
\"\'Revelationxii。6。Andthewomanfledintothewilderness，whereshehadaplacepreparedofGod。\'
\"ThatisBoston。Irecognizeit，madam。Thesearesublimethings，andimpressive；Ineverunderstoodthesepassagesbefore；pleasegoonwiththe——withthe——proofs。\"
\"Verywell。Listen：
\"\'AndIsawanothermightyangelcomedownfromheaven，clothedwithacloud；andarainbowwasuponhishead，andhisfacewasasitwerethesun，andhisfeetaspillarsoffire。Andheheldinhishandalittlebook。\'
\"Alittlebook，merelyalittlebook——couldwordsbemodester？Yethowstupendousitsimportance！Doyouknowwhatbookthatwas？\"
\"Wasit——\"
\"Iholditinmyhand——ChristianScience！\"
\"Love，Livers，Lights，Bones，Truth，Kidneys，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal——itisbeyondimaginationforwonder！\"
\"HearourFounder\'seloquentwords：\'Thenwillavoicefromharmonycry，\"Goandtakethelittlebook：takeitandeatitup，anditshallmakethybellybitter；butitshallbeinthymouthsweetashoney。\"Mortal，obeytheheavenlyevangel。TakeupDivineScience。Readitfrombeginningtoend。Studyit，ponderit。Itwillbe，indeed，sweetatitsfirsttaste，whenithealsyou；butmurmurnotoverTruth，ifyoufinditsdigestionbitter。\'YounowknowthehistoryofourdearandholyScience，sir，andthatitsoriginisnotofthisearth，butonlyitsdiscovery。Iwillleavethebookwithyouandwillgo，now；butgiveyourselfnouneasiness——IwillgiveyouabsenttreatmentfromnowtillI
gotobed。\"
CHAPTERIII
Underthepowerfulinfluenceoftheneartreatmentandtheabsenttreatmenttogether，mybonesweregraduallyretreatinginwardanddisappearingfromview。Thegoodworktookabriskstart，now，andwentonswiftly。Mybodywasdiligentlystrainingandstretching，thiswayandthat，toaccommodatetheprocessesofrestoration，andeveryminuteortwoIheardadullclickinsideandknewthatthetwoendsofafracturehadbeensuccessfullyjoined。Thismuffledclickingandgrittingandgrindingandraspingcontinuedduringthenextthreehours，andthenstopped——theconnectionshadallbeenmade。Allexceptdislocations；therewereonlysevenofthese：hips，shoulders，knees，neck；sothatwassoonover；oneafteranothertheyslippedintotheirsocketswithasoundlikepullingadistantcork，andIjumpedupasgoodasnew，astoframework，andsentforthehorse-doctor。
IwasobligedtodothisbecauseIhadastomach-acheandacoldinthehead，andIwasnotwillingtotrustthesethingsanylongerinthehandsofawomanwhomIdidnotknow，andwhoseabilitytosuccessfullytreatmerediseaseIhadlostallconfidence。Mypositionwasjustifiedbythefactthatthecoldandtheachehadbeeninherchargefromthefirst，alongwiththefractures，buthadexperiencednotashadeofrelief；and，indeed，theachewasevengrowingworseandworse，andmoreandmorebitter，now，probablyonaccountoftheprotractedabstentionfromfoodanddrink。
Thehorse-doctorcame，apleasantmanandfullofhopeandprofessionalinterestinthecase。Inthematterofsmellhewasprettyaromatic——infact，quitehorsy——andItriedtoarrangewithhimforabsenttreatment，butitwasnotinhisline，so，outofdelicacy，Ididnotpressit。Helookedatmyteethandexaminedmyhock，andsaidmyageandgeneralconditionwerefavorabletoenergeticmeasures；thereforehewouldgivemesomethingtoturnthestomach-acheintothebottsandthecoldintheheadintotheblindstaggers；thenheshouldbeonhisownbeatandwouldknowwhattodo。Hemadeupabucketofbran-mash，andsaidadipperfulofiteverytwohours，alternatedwithadrenchwithturpentineandaxle-
greaseinit，wouldeitherknockmyailmentsoutofmeintwenty-fourhours，orsointerestmeinotherwaysastomakemeforgettheywereonthepremises。Headministeredmyfirstdosehimself，thentookhisleave，sayingIwasfreetoeatanddrinkanythingIpleasedandinanyquantityIliked。ButIwasnothungryanymore，anddidnotcareforfood。
ItookuptheChristianSciencebookandreadhalfofit，thentookadipperfulofdrenchandreadtheotherhalf。Theresultingexperienceswerefullofinterestandadventure。AllthroughtherumblingsandgrindingsandquakingsandeffervescingsaccompanyingtheevolutionoftheacheintothebottsandthecoldintotheblindstaggersIcouldnotethegenerousstruggleformasterygoingonbetweenthemashandthedrenchandtheliterature；andoftenIcouldtellwhichwasahead，andcouldeasilydistinguishtheliteraturefromtheotherswhentheotherswereseparate，thoughnotwhentheyweremixed；forwhenabran-mashandaneclecticdrencharemixedtogethertheylookjustliketheApodicticalPrincipleoutonalark，andnoonecantellitfromthat。Thefinishwasreachedatlast，theevolutionswerecomplete，andafinesuccess，butIthinkthatthisresultcouldhavebeenachievedwithfewermaterials。Ibelievethemashwasnecessarytotheconversionofthestomach-acheintothebotts，butIthinkonecoulddeveloptheblindstaggersoutoftheliteraturebyitself；also，thatblindstaggersproducedinthiswaywouldbeofabetterqualityandmorelastingthananyproducedbytheartificialprocessesofthehorse-doctor。
Forofallthestrangeandfranticandincomprehensibleanduninterpretablebookswhichtheimaginationofmanhascreated，surelythisoneistheprizesample。Itiswrittenwithalimitlessconfidenceandcomplacency，andwithadashandstirandearnestnesswhichoftencompeltheeffectsofeloquence，evenwhenthewordsdonotseemtohaveanytraceablemeaning。Thereareplentyofpeoplewhoimaginetheyunderstandthebook；Iknowthis，forIhavetalkedwiththem；butinallcasestheywerepeoplewhoalsoimaginedthattherewerenosuchthingsaspain，sickness，anddeath，andnorealitiesintheworld；nothingactuallyexistentbutMind。Itseemstometomodifythevalueoftheirtestimony。WhenthesepeopletalkaboutChristianSciencetheydoasMrs。Fullerdid：theydonotusetheirownlanguage，butthebook\'s；theypouroutthebook\'sshowyincoherences，andleaveyoutofindoutlaterthattheywerenotoriginating，butmerelyquoting；theyseemtoknowthevolumebyheart，andtorevereitastheywouldaBible——anotherBible，perhapsIoughttosay。PlainlythebookwaswrittenunderthementaldesolationsoftheThirdDegree，andIfeelsurethatnonebutthemembershipofthatDegreecandiscovermeaningsinit。Whenyoureadityouseemtobelisteningtoalivelyandaggressiveandoracularspeechdeliveredinanunknowntongue，aspeechwhosespirityougetbutnottheparticulars；or，tochangethefigure，youseemtobelisteningtoavigorousinstrumentwhichismakinganoisewhichitthinksisatune，butwhich，topersonsnotmembersoftheband，isonlythemartialtootingofatrombone，andmerrilystirsthesoulthroughthenoise，butdoesnotconveyameaning。
Thebook\'sserenitiesofself-satisfactiondoalmostseemtosmackofaheavenlyorigin——theyhavenoblood-kinintheearth。Itismorethanhumantobesoplacidlycertainaboutthings，andsofinelysuperior，andsoairilycontentwithone\'sperformance。WithouteverpresentinganythingwhichmayrightfullybecalledbythestrongnameofEvidence，andsometimeswithoutevenmentioningareasonforadeductionatall，itthundersoutthestartlingwords，\"IhaveProved\"soandso。IttakesthePopeandallthegreatgunsofhisChurchinbatteryassembledtoauthoritativelysettleandestablishthemeaningofasoleandsingleunclarifiedpassageofScripture，andthisatvastcostoftimeandstudyandreflection，buttheauthorofthisworkissuperiortoallthat：shefindsthewholeBibleinanunclarifiedaudition，andatsmallexpenseoftimeandnoexpenseofmentaleffortsheclarifiesitfromlidtolid，reorganizesandimprovesthemeanings，thenauthoritativelysettlesandestablishesthemwithformulaswhichyoucannottellfrom\"Lettherebelight！\"and\"Hereyouhaveit！\"Itisthefirsttimesincethedawn-daysofCreationthataVoicehasgonecrashingthroughspacewithsuchplacidandcomplacentconfidenceandcommand。
[January，1903。Thefirstreadingofanybookwhoseterminologyisnewandstrangeisnearlysuretoleavethereaderinabewilderedandsarcasticstateofmind。Butnowthat，duringthepasttwomonths，I
have，bydiligencegainedafairacquaintanceshipwithScienceandHealthtechnicalities，Inolongerfindthebulkofthatworkhardtounderstand。——M。T。]
P。S。Thewisdomharvestedfromtheforegoingthoughtshasalreadydonemeaserviceandsavedmeasorrow。NearlyamonthagotherecametomefromoneoftheuniversitiesatractbyDr。EdwardAnthonySpitzkaonthe\"EncephalicAnatomyoftheRaces。\"Ijudgedthatmyopinionwasdesiredbytheuniversity，andIwasgreatlypleasedwiththisattentionandwroteandsaidIwouldfurnishitassoonasIcould。ThatnightI
putmyploddinganddishearteningChristianScienceminingasideandtookholdofthematter。Iwroteaneagerchapter，andwasexpectingtofinishmyopinionthenextday，butwascalledawayforaweek，andmymindwassoonchargedwithotherinterests。Itwasnotuntilto-day，afterthelapseofnearlyamonth，thatIhappeneduponmyEncephalicchapteragain。Meantime，thenewwisdomhadcometome，andIreaditwithshame。IrecognizedthatIhadentereduponthatworkinfarfromtherighttemper——farfromtherespectfulandjudicialspiritwhichwasitsdueofreverence。Ihadbegunuponitwiththefollowingparagraphforfuel：
\"FISSURESOFTHEPARIETALANDOCCIPITALLOBES（LATERALSURFACE）。——ThePostcentralFissuralComplex——Inthishemicerebrum，thepostcentralandsubcentralarecombinedtoformacontinuousfissure，attainingalengthof8。5cm。Dorsally，thefissurebifurcates，embracingthegyreindentedbythecaudallimboftheparacentral。Thecaudallimbofthepostcentralisjoinedbyatransparietalpiece。Inall，fiveadditionalramispringfromthecombinedfissure。Avadumseparatesitfromtheparietal；anotherfromthecentral。\"
Ithumiliatesme，now，toseehowangryIgotoverthat；andhowscornful。Isaidthatthestylewasdisgraceful；thatitwaslaboredandtumultuous，andinplacesviolent，thatthetreatmentwasinvolvedanderratic，andalmost，asarule，bewildering；thattolackofsimplicitywasaddedalackofvocabulary；thattherewasquitetoomuchfeelingshown；thatifIhadadogthatwouldgetsoexcitedandincoherentoveratranquilsubjectlikeEncephalicAnatomyIwouldnotpayhistax；andatthatpointIgotexcitedmyselfandspokebitterlyofthesemongrelinsanities，andsaidapersonmightaswelltrytounderstandScienceandHealth。
[Iknow，now，wherethetroublewas，andamgladoftheinterruptionthatsavedmefromsendingmyverdicttotheuniversity。Itmakesmecoldtothinkwhatthosepeoplemighthavethoughtofme。——M。T。]
CHAPTERIV
Noonedoubts——certainlynotI——thatthemindexercisesapowerfulinfluenceoverthebody。Fromthebeginningoftime，thesorcerer，theinterpreterofdreams，thefortune-teller，thecharlatan，thequack，thewildmedicine-man，theeducatedphysician，themesmerist，andthehypnotisthavemadeuseoftheclient\'simaginationtohelpthemintheirwork。Theyhaveallrecognizedthepotencyandavailabilityofthatforce。Physicianscuremanypatientswithabreadpill；theyknowthatwherethediseaseisonlyafancy，thepatient\'sconfidenceinthedoctorwillmakethebreadpilleffective。
Faithinthedoctor。Perhapsthatistheentirething。Itseemstolooklikeit。InoldtimestheKingcuredtheking\'sevilbythetouchoftheroyalhand。Hefrequentlymadeextraordinarycures。Couldhisfootmanhavedoneit？No——notinhisownclothes。DisguisedastheKing，couldhehavedoneit？Ithinkwemaynotdoubtit。IthinkwemayfeelsurethatitwasnottheKing\'stouchthatmadethecureinanyinstance，butthepatient\'sfaithintheefficacyofaKing\'stouch。Genuineandremarkablecureshavebeenachievedthroughcontactwiththerelicsofasaint。Isitnotlikelythatanyotherboneswouldhavedoneaswellifthesubstitutionhadbeenconcealedfromthepatient？WhenIwasaboyafarmer\'swifewholivedfivemilesfromourvillagehadgreatfameasafaith-doctor——thatwaswhatshecalledherself。Suffererscametoherfromallaround，andshelaidherhanduponthemandsaid，\"Havefaith——
itisallthatisnecessary，\"andtheywentawaywelloftheirailments。
Shewasnotareligiouswoman，andpretendedtonooccultpowers。Shesaidthatthepatient\'sfaithinherdidthework。SeveraltimesIsawhermakeimmediatecuresofseveretoothaches。Mymotherwasthepatient。InAustriathereisapeasantwhodrivesagreattradeinthissortofindustry，andhasboththehighandthelowforpatients。Hegetsintoprisoneverynowandthenforpractisingwithoutadiploma，buthisbusinessisasbriskaseverwhenhegetsout，forhisworkisunquestionablysuccessfulandkeepshisreputationhigh。InBavariathereisamanwhoperformedsomanygreatcuresthathehadtoretirefromhisprofessionofstage-carpenteringinordertomeetthedemandofhisconstantlyincreasingbodyofcustomers。Hegoesonfromyeartoyeardoinghismiracles，andhasbecomeveryrich。Hepretendstonoreligioushelps，nosupernaturalaids，butthinksthereissomethinginhismake-upwhichinspirestheconfidenceofhispatients，andthatitisthisconfidencewhichdoesthework，andnotsomemysteriouspowerissuingfromhimself。
Withinthelastquarterofacentury，inAmerica，severalsectsofcurershaveappearedundervariousnamesandhavedonenotablethingsinthewayofhealingailmentswithouttheuseofmedicines。TherearetheMindCuretheFaithCure，thePrayerCure，theMentalScienceCure，andtheChristian-ScienceCure；andapparentlytheyalldotheirmiracleswiththesameold，powerfulinstrument——thepatient\'simagination。Differingnames，butnodifferenceintheprocess。Buttheydonotgivethatinstrumentthecredit；eachsectclaimsthatitswaydiffersfromthewaysoftheothers。
Theyallachievesomecures，thereisnoquestionaboutit；andtheFaithCureandthePrayerCureprobablydonoharmwhentheydonogood，sincetheydonotforbidthepatienttohelpoutthecurewithmedicinesifhewantsto；buttheothersbarmedicines，andclaimabilitytocureeveryconceivablehumanailmentthroughtheapplicationoftheirmentalforcesalone。Therewouldseemtobeanelementofdangerhere。Ithasthelookofclaimingtoomuch，Ithink。Publicconfidencewouldprobablybeincreasediflesswereclaimed。
TheChristianScientistwasnotabletocuremystomach-acheandmycold；
butthehorse-doctordidit。ThisconvincesmethatChristianScienceclaimstoomuch。Inmyopinionitoughttoletdiseasesaloneandconfineitselftosurgery。Thereitwouldhaveeverythingitsownway。
Thehorse-doctorchargedmethirtykreutzers，andIpaidhim；infact，I
doubleditandgavehimashilling。Mrs。Fullerbroughtinanitemizedbillforacrateofbrokenbonesmendedintwohundredandthirty-fourplaces——onedollarperfracture。
\"NothingexistsbutMind？\"
\"Nothing，\"sheanswered。\"Allelseissubstanceless，allelseisimaginary。\"
Igaveheranimaginarycheck，andnowsheissuingmeforsubstantialdollars。Itlooksinconsistent。
CHAPTERV
Letusconsiderthatweareallpartiallyinsane。Itwillexplainustoeachother；itwillunriddlemanyriddles；itwillmakeclearandsimplemanythingswhichareinvolvedinhauntingandharassingdifficultiesandobscuritiesnow。
Thoseofuswhoarenotintheasylum，andnotdemonstrablyduethere，arenevertheless，nodoubt，insaneinoneortwoparticulars。Ithinkwemustadmitthis；butIthinkthatweareotherwisehealthy-minded。I
thinkthatwhenweallseeonethingalike，itisevidencethat，asregardsthatonething，ourmindsareperfectlysound。Nowtherearereallyseveralthingswhichwedoallseealike；thingswhichweallaccept，andaboutwhichwedonotdispute。Forinstance，wewhoareoutsideoftheasylumallagreethatwaterseeksitslevel；thatthesungiveslightandheat；thatfireconsumes；thatfogisdamp；thatsixtimessixarethirty-six，thattwofromtenleaveseight；thateightandsevenarefifteen。Theseare，perhaps，theonlythingsweareagreedabout；but，althoughtheyaresofew，theyareofinestimablevalue，becausetheymakeaninfalliblestandardofsanity。Whosoeveracceptsthemhimweknowtobesubstantiallysane；sufficientlysane；intheworkingessentials，sane。Whoeverdisputesasingleoneofthemhimweknowtobewhollyinsane，andqualifiedfortheasylum。
Verywell，themanwhodisputesnoneofthemweconcedetobeentitledtogoatlarge。Butthatisconcessionenough。Wecannotgoanyfurtherthanthat；forweknowthatinallmattersofmereopinionthatsamemanisinsane——justasinsaneasweare；justasinsaneasShakespearewas。
Weknowexactlywheretoputourfingeruponhisinsanity：itiswherehisopiniondiffersfromours。
Thatisasimplerule，andeasytoremember。WhenI，athoughtfulandunblessedPresbyterian，examinetheKoran，IknowthatbeyondanyquestioneveryMohammedanisinsane；notinallthings，butinreligiousmatters。WhenathoughtfulandunblessedMohammedanexaminestheWestminsterCatechism，heknowsthatbeyondanyquestionIamspirituallyinsane。Icannotprovetohimthatheisinsane，becauseyounevercanproveanythingtoalunatic——forthatisapartofhisinsanityandtheevidenceofit。HecannotprovetomethatIaminsane，formymindhasthesamedefectthatafflictshis。AllDemocratsareinsane，butnotoneofthemknowsit；nonebuttheRepublicansandMugwumpsknowit。AlltheRepublicansareinsane，butonlytheDemocratsandMugwumpscanperceiveit。Theruleisperfect：inallmattersofopinionouradversariesareinsane。WhenIlookaroundme，Iamoftentroubledtoseehowmanypeoplearemad。Tomentiononlyafew：
TheAtheist，TheTheosophists，TheInfidel，TheSwedenborgians，TheAgnostic，TheShakers，TheBaptist，TheMillerites，TheMethodist，TheMormons，TheChristianScientist，TheLaurenceOliphantHarrisites，TheCatholic，andthe115Christiansects，thePresbyterianexcepted，TheGrandLama\'speople，TheMonarchists，TheImperialists，The72Mohammedansects，TheDemocrats，TheRepublicans（butnottheMugwumps），TheBuddhist，TheBlavatsky-Buddhist，TheMind-Curists，TheFaith-Curists，TheNationalist，TheMentalScientists，TheConfucian，TheSpiritualist，TheAllopaths，The2000EastIndiansects，TheHomeopaths，TheElectropaths，ThePeculiarPeople，The————
Butthere\'snoendtothelist；therearemillionsofthem！Andallinsane；eachinhisownway；insaneastohispetfadoropinion，butotherwisesaneandrational。Thisshouldmoveustobecharitabletowardsoneanother\'slunacies。IrecognizethatinhisspecialbelieftheChristianScientistisinsane，becausehedoesnotbelieveasIdo；
butIhailhimasmymateandfellow，becauseIamasinsaneasheinsanefromhispointofview，andhispointofviewisasauthoritativeasmineandworthasmuch。Thatistosay，worthabrassfarthing。Uponagreatreligiousorpoliticalquestion，theopinionofthedullestheadintheworldisworththesameastheopinionofthebrightestheadintheworld——abrassfarthing。Howdowearriveatthis？Itissimple。Theaffirmativeopinionofastupidmanisneutralizedbythenegativeopinionofhisstupidneighbornodecisionisreached；theaffirmativeopinionoftheintellectualgiantGladstoneisneutralizedbythenegativeopinionoftheintellectualgiantNewman——nodecisionisreached。Opinionsthatprovenothingare，ofcourse，withoutvalueanybutadeadpersonknowsthatmuch。Thisobligesustoadmitthetruthoftheunpalatablepropositionjustmentionedabove——that，indisputedmatterspoliticalandreligious，oneman\'sopinionisworthnomorethanhispeer\'s，andhenceitfollowersthatnoman\'sopinionpossessesanyrealvalue。Itisahumblingthought，butthereisnowaytogetaroundit：allopinionsuponthesegreatsubjectsarebrass-farthingopinions。
