第7章

类别:其他 作者:Mark Twain字数:20187更新时间:19/01/04 15:11:24
CHAPTERXIV ThePresidentandBoardofDirectorswil1succeedher,andthegovernmentwillgoonwithoutahitch。TheBy-lawswillbearthatinterpretation。 AlltheMother-Church\'svastpowersareconcentratedinthatBoard。Mrs。 Eddy\'sunlimitedpersonalreservationsmaketheBoard\'sostensiblesupremacy,duringherlife,asham,andtheBoarditselfashadow。ButMrs。Eddyhasnotmadethosereservationsforanyonebutherself——theyaredistinctlypersonal,theybearhername,theyarenotusablebyanotherindividual。Whenshediesherreservationsdie,andtheBoard\'sshadow-powersbecomerealpowers,withoutthechangeofanyimportantBy- law,andtheBoardsitsinherplaceasabsoluteandirresponsibleasovereignasshewas。 Itconsistsofbutfivepersons,amuchmoremanageableCardinalatethantheRomanPope\'s。IthinkitwillelectitsPopefromitsownbody,andthatitwillfillitsownvacancies。AnelectivePapacyisasafeandwisesystem,andalong-liver。 CHAPTERXV Wemaytakethatupnow。 Itisnotasingleif,butaseveral-jointedone;notanoyster,butavertebrate。 1。DidMrs。EddyborrowfromQuimbytheGreatIdea,oronlythelittleone,theold-timer,theordinarymental-healing-healingby\"mortal\"mind? 2。IfsheborrowedtheGreatIdea,didshecarryitawayinherhead,orinmanuscript? 3。DidshehitupontheGreatIdeaherself?BytheGreatIdeaImean,ofcourse,theconvictionthattheForceinvolvedwasstillexistent,andcouldbeappliednowjustasitwasappliedbyChrist\'sDisciplesandtheirconverts,andassuccessfully。 4。Didshephilosophizeit,systematizeit,andwriteitdowninabook? 5。Wasitshe,andnotanother,thatbuiltanewReligionuponthebookandorganizedit? IthinkNo。5canbeansweredwithaYes,anddismissedfromthecontroversy。AndIthinkthattheGreatIdea,greatasitwas,wouldhaveenjoyedbutabriefactivity,andwouldthenhavegonetosleepagainforsomemorecenturies,butfortheperpetuatingimpulseitgotfromthatorganizedandtremendousforce。 AsforNos。1,2,and4,thehostilescontendthatMrs。EddygottheGreatIdeafromQuimbyandcarrieditoffinmanuscript。Buttheirtestimony,whileofconsequence,lacksthemostimportantdetail;sofarasmyinformationgoes,theQuimbymanuscripthasnotbeenproduced。I thinkwecannotdiscussNo。1andNo。2profitably。Letthemgo。 Forme,No。3hasamildinterest,andNo。4aviolentone。 AsregardsNo。3,Mrs。Eddywasbroughtup,fromthecradle,anold- time,boiler-iron,Westminster-CatechismChristian,andknewherBibleaswellasCaptainKyddknewhis,\"whenhesailed,whenhesailed,\"andperhapsassympathetically。TheGreatIdeahadstruckamillionBible- readersbeforeherasbeingpossibleofresurrectionandapplication——itmusthavestruckasmanyasthat,andbeencogitated,indolently,doubtingly,thendroppedandforgotten——anditcouldhavestruckher,induecourse。Buthowitcouldinteresther,howitcouldappealtoher—— withhermakethisathingthatisdifficulttounderstand。 Forthethingbackofitiswhollygraciousandbeautiful:thepower,throughlovingmercifulnessandcompassion,tohealfleshlyillsandpainsandgrief——all——withaword,withatouchofthehand!ThispowerwasgivenbytheSaviourtotheDisciples,andtoalltheconverted。 All——everyone。Itwasexercisedforgenerationsafterwards。AnyChristianwhowasinearnestandnotamake-believe,notapolicy—— Christian,notaChristianforrevenueonly,hadthathealingpower,andcouldcurewithitanydiseaseoranyhurtordamagepossibletohumanfleshandbone。Thesethingsaretrue,ortheyarenot。IftheyweretrueseventeenandeighteenandnineteencenturiesagoitwouldbedifficulttosatisfactorilyexplainwhyorhoworbywhatargumentthatpowershouldbenonexistentinChristiansnow。 TowishtoexerciseitcouldoccurtoMrs。Eddy——butwouldit? Grasping,sordid,penurious,famishingforeverythingshesees——money,power,glory——vain,untruthful,jealous,despotic,arrogant,insolent,pitilesswherethinkersandhypnotistsareconcerned,illiterate,shallow,incapableofreasoningoutsideofcommerciallines,immeasurablyselfish—— OfcoursetheGreatIdeacouldstrikeher,wehavetograntthat,butwhyitshouldinterestherisaquestionwhichcaneasilyoverstraintheimaginationandbringonnervousprostration,orsomethinglikethat,andisbetterleftalonebythejudicious,itseemstome—— UnlesswecalltoourhelptheallegedothersideofMrs。Eddy\'smakeandcharacterthesidewhichhermultitudeoffollowerssee,andsincerelybelievein。Fairnessrequiresthattheirviewbestatedhere。ItistheoppositeoftheonewhichIhavedrawnfromMrs。Eddy\'shistoryandfromherBy-laws。Toherfollowerssheisthis: Patient,gentle,loving,compassionate,noblehearted,unselfish,sinless,widelycultured,splendidlyequippedmentally,aprofoundthinker,anablewriter,adivinepersonage,aninspiredmessengerwhoseactsaredictatedfromtheThrone,andwhoseeveryutteranceistheVoiceofGod。 Shehasdeliveredtothemareligionwhichhasrevolutionizedtheirlives,banishedthegloomsthatshadowedthem,andfilledthemandfloodedthemwithsunshineandgladnessandpeace;areligionwhichhasnohell;areligionwhoseheavenisnotputofftoanothertime,withabreakandagulfbetween,butbeginshereandnow,andmeltsintoeternityasfanciesofthewakingdaymeltintothedreamsofsleep。 TheybelieveitisaChristianitythatisintheNewTestament;thatithasalwaysbeenthere,thatinthedriftofagesitwaslostthroughdisuseandneglect,andthatthisbenefactorhasfounditandgivenitbacktomen,turningthenightoflifeintoday,itsterrorsintomyths,itslamentationsintosongsofemancipationandrejoicing。 TherewehaveMrs。Eddyasherfollowersseeher。Shehasliftedthemoutofgriefandcareanddoubtandfear,andmadetheirlivesbeautiful; shefoundthemwanderingforlorninawintrywilderness,andhasledthemtoatropicparadiselikethatofwhichthepoetsings: \"O,islandsthereareonthefaceofthedeepWheretheleavesneverfadeandtheskiesneverweep。\" Toaskthemtoexaminewithamicroscopethecharacterofsuchabenefactor;toaskthemtoexamineitatall;toaskthemtolookatablemishwhichanotherpersonbelieveshehasfoundinit——well,intheirplacecouldyoudoit?Wouldyoudoit?Wouldn\'tyoubeashamedtodoit?Ifatramphadrescuedyourchildfromfireanddeath,andsaveditsmother\'sheartfrombreaking,couldyouseehisrags?Couldyousmellhisbreath?Mrs。Eddyhasdonemorethanthatforthesepeople。 Theyareprejudicedwitnesses。Tothecreditofhumannatureitisnotpossiblethattheyshouldbeotherwise。TheysincerelybelievethatMrs。 Eddy\'scharacterispureandperfectandbeautiful,andherhistorywithoutstainorblotorblemish。Butthatdoesnotsettleit。TheysincerelybelieveshedidnotborrowtheGreatIdeafromQuimby,buthituponitherself。Itmaybeso,anditcouldbeso。Letitgo——thereisnowaytosettleit。TheybelieveshecarriedawaynoQuimbymanuscripts。Letthatgo,too——thereisnowaytosettleit。Theybelievethatshe,andnotanother,builttheReligionuponthebook,andorganizedit。Ibelieveit,too。 Finally,theybelievethatshephilosophizedChristianScience,explainedit,systematizedit,andwroteitalloutwithherownhandinthebookScienceandHealth。 Iamnotabletobelievethat。Letusdrawthelinethere。Theknownandundisputedproductsofherpenareaformidablewitnessagainsther。 Theydoseemtometoprove,quiteclearlyandconclusively,thatwriting,uponevensimplesubjects,isadifficultlaborforher:thatshehasneverbeenabletowriteanythingabovethird-rateEnglish;thatsheisweakinthematterofgrammar;thatshehasbutarudeanddullsenseofthevaluesofwords;thatshesolacksinthematterofliteraryprecisionthatshecanseldomputathoughtintowordsthatexpressitlucidlytothereaderandleavenodoubtsinhismindastowhetherhehasrightlyunderstoodornot;thatshecannotevendraughtaPrefacethatapersoncanfullycomprehend,noronewhichcanbyanyartbetranslatedintoafullyunderstandableform;thatshecanseldominjectintoaPrefaceevensinglesentenceswhosemeaningisuncompromisinglyclear——yetPrefacesareherspecialty,ifshehasone。 Mrs。Eddy\'sknownandundisputedwritingsareverylimitedinbulk;theyexhibitnodepth,noanalyticalquality,nothoughtaboveschoolcompositionsize,andbutjuvenileabilityinhandlingthoughtsofeventhatmodestmagnitude。Shehasafinecommercialability,andcouldgovernavastrailwaysystemingreatstyle;shecoulddraughtasetofrulesthatSatanhimselfwouldsaycouldnotbeimprovedon——fordevilisheffectiveness——byhisstaff;butweknow,byourexcursionsamongtheMother-Church\'sBy-laws,thattheirEnglishwoulddiscreditthedeputybaggage-smasher。IamquitesurethatMrs。Eddycannotwritewelluponanysubject,evenacommercialone。 IntheveryfirstrevisionofScienceandHealth(1883),Mrs。EddywroteaPrefacewhichisanunimpeachablewitnessthattherestofthebookwaswrittenbysomebodyelse。IhaveputitintheAppendixalongwithapageortwotakenfromthebodyofthebook,andwillaskthereadertocomparethelaboredandlumberingandconfusedgropingsofthisPrefacewiththeeasyandflowinganddirectEnglishoftheotherexhibit,andseeifhecanbelievethattheonehandandbrainproducedboth。 AndlethimtakethePrefaceapart,sentencebysentence,andsearchinglyexamineeachsentencewordbyword,andseeifhecanfindhalfadozensentenceswhosemeaningsheissosureofthathecanrephrasethem——inwordsofhisown——andreproducewhathetakestobethosemeanings。 Moneycanbelostonthisgame。Iknow,forIamtheonethatlostit。 NowletthereaderturntotheexcerptwhichIhavemadefromthechapteron\"Prayer\"(lastyear\'seditionofScienceandHealth),andcomparethatwiseandsaneandelevatedandlucidandcompactpieceofworkwiththeaforesaidPreface,andwithMrs。Eddy\'spoetryconcerningthegymnastictrees,andMinerva\'snotyeteffetesandals,andthewreathsimportedfromErudition\'sbowerforthedecorationofPlymouthRock,andthePlague-spotandBacilli,andmyotherexhibits(turnbacktomyChaptersI。andII。)fromtheAutobiography,andfinallywiththelateCommunicationconcerningme,andseeifhethinksanybody\'saffirmation,oranybody\'ssworntestimony,oranyothertestimonyofanyimaginablekindwouldeverbelikelytoconvincehimthatMrs。EddywrotethatchapteronPrayer。 Idonotwishtoimposemyopiniononanyonewhowillnotpermitit,butsuchasitisIofferithereforwhatitisworth。Icannotbelieve,andIdonotbelieve,thatMrs。EddyoriginatedanyofthethoughtsandreasoningsoutofwhichthebookScienceandHealthisconstructed;andI cannotbelieve,anddonotbelievethatsheeverwroteanypartofthatbook。 Ithinkthatifanythingintheworldstandsproven,andwellandsolidlyproven,byunimpeachabletestimony——thetreacheroustestimonyofherownpeninherknownandundisputedliteraryproductions——itisthatMrs。 Eddyisnotcapableofthinkinguponhighplanes,norofreasoningclearlynorwritingintelligentlyuponlowones。 Inasmuchas——inmybelief——theveryfirsteditionsofthebookScienceandHealthwerefarabovethereachofMrs。Eddy\'smentalandliteraryabilities,Ithinkshehasfromtheverybeginningbeenclaimingasherownanotherperson\'sbook,andwearingasherownpropertylaurelsrightfullybelongingtothatperson——therealauthorofScienceandHealth。AndIthinkthereason——andtheonlyreason——thathehasnotprotestedisbecausehisworkwasnotexposedtoprintuntilafterhewassafelydead。 Thatwithaneyetobusiness,andbygraceofherbusinesstalent,shehasrestoredtotheworldneglectedandabandonedfeaturesoftheChristianreligionwhichherthousandsoffollowersfindgraciousandblessedandcontenting,Irecognizeandconfess;butIamconvincedthateverysingledetailoftheworkexceptjustthatone——thedeliveryoftheProducttotheworld——wasconceivedandperformedbyanother。 APPENDIXA ORIGINALFIRSTPREFACETOSCIENCEANDHEALTH ThereseemsaChristiannecessityoflearningGod\'spowerandpurposetohealbothmindandbody。ThisthoughtgrewoutofourearlyseekingHiminallourways,andahopelessassingularinvalidismthatdrugsincreasedinsteadofdiminished,andhygienebenefitedonlyforaseason。 Bydegreeswehavedriftedintomorespirituallatitudesofthought,andexperimentedasweadvanceduntildemonstratingfullythepowerofmindoverthebody。Abouttheyear1862,havingheardofamesmeristinPortlandwhowastreatingthesickbymanipulation,wevisitedhim;hehelpedusforatime,thenwerelapsedsomewhat。Afterhisdecease,andaseverecasualtydeemedfatalbyskilfulphysicians,wediscoveredthatthePrincipleofallhealingandthelawthatgovernsitisGod,adivinePrinciple,andaspiritualnotmateriallaw,andregainedhealth。 Itwasnotanindividualormortalmindactinguponanotherso-calledmindthathealedus。ItwastheglorioustruthsofChristianSciencethatwediscoveredaswenearedthatvergeofso-calledmateriallifenameddeath;yea,itwasthegreatShekinah,thespiritofLife,Truth,andLoveilluminatingourunderstandingoftheactionandmightofOmnipotence!Theoldgentlemantowhomwehavereferredhadsomeveryadvancedviewsonhealing,buthewasnotavowedlyreligiousneitherscholarly。Weinterchangedthoughtsonthesubjectofhealingthesick。 Irestoredsomepatientsofhisthathefailedtoheal,andleftinhispossessionsomemanuscriptsofminecontainingcorrectionsofhisdesultorypennings,whichIaminformedathisdeceasepassedintothehandsofapatientofhis,nowresidinginScotland。Hediedin1865andleftnopublishedworks。Theonlymanuscriptthatweeverheldofhis,longerthantocorrectit,wasoneofperhapsadozenpages,mostofwhichwehadcomposed。Hemanipulatedthesick;hencehisostensiblemethodofhealingwasphysicalinsteadofmental。 Wehelpedhimintheesteemofthepublicbyourwritings,butneverknewofhisstatingorallyorinwritingthathetreatedhispatientsmentally;neverheardhimgiveanydirectionstothateffect;andhaveitfromoneofhispatients,whonowassertsthathewasthefounderofmentalhealing,thatheneverrevealedtoanyonehismethod。Werefertothesefactssimplytorefutethecalumniesandfalseclaimsofourenemies,thatwearepreferringdishonestclaimstothediscoveryandfoundingatthisperiodofMetaphysicalHealingorChristianScience。 TheScienceandlawsofapurelymentalhealingandtheirmethodofapplicationthroughspiritualpoweralone,elseamentalargumentagainstdisease,areourowndiscoveryatthisdate。True,thePrincipleisdivineandeternal,buttheapplicationofittohealthesickhadbeenlostsightof,andrequiredtobeagainspirituallydiscernedanditssciencediscovered,thatmanmightretainitthroughtheunderstanding。 Sinceourdiscoveryin1866ofthedivinescienceofChristianHealing,wehavelaboredwithtongueandpentofoundthissystem。Inthisendeavoreveryobstaclehasbeenthrowninourpaththattheenvyandrevengeofafewdisaffectedstudentscoulddevise。Thesuperstitionandignoranceofeventhisperiodhavenotfailedtocontributetheirmitetowardsmisjudgingus,whileitsChristianadvancementandscientificresearchhavehelpedsustainourfeebleefforts。 SinceourfirstEditionofScienceandHealth,publishedin1875,twooftheaforesaidstudentshaveplagiarizedandpiratedourworks。IntheissuesofE。J。A。,almostexclusivelyours,werethirteenparagraphs,withoutcredit,takenverbatimfromourbooks。 Notoneofourprintedworkswasevercopiedorabstractedfromthepublishedorfromtheunpublishedwritingsofanyone。ThroughoutourpublicationsofMetaphysicalHealingorChristianScience,whenwritingordictatingthem,wehavegivenourselvestocontemplationwhollyapartfromtheobservationofthematerialsenses:tolookuponacopywouldhavedistractedourthoughtsfromthesubjectbeforeus。Wewereseldomabletocopyourowncompositions,andhaveemployedanamanuensisforthelastsixyears。Everyworkthatwehavehadpublishedhasbeenextemporaneouslywritten;andoutoffiftylecturesandsermonsthatwehavedeliveredthelastyear,forty-fourhavebeenextemporaneous。Wehavedistributedmanyofourunpublishedmanuscripts;loanedtooneofouryoungeststudents,R。Kc……y,betweenthreeandfourhundredpages,ofwhichweweresoleauthor——givinghimlibertytocopybutnottopublishthem。 LeaningonthesustainingInfinitewithlovingtrust,thetrialsofto- daygrowbrief,andto-morrowisbigwithblessings。 Thewakefulshepherd,tendinghisflocks,beholdsfromthemountain\'stopthefirstfaintmorningbeamerecomeththerisenday。SofromSoul\'sloftiersummitsshinesthepalestartoprophet-shepherd,andittraversesnight,overtowheretheyoungchildlies,incradledobscurity,thatshallwakenaworld。OverthenightoferrordawnthemorningbeamsandguidingstarofTruth,and\"thewisemen\"areledbyittoScience,whichrepeatstheeternalharmonythatitreproduced,inproofofimmortality。Thetimeforthinkershascome;andthetimeforrevolutions,ecclesiasticalandcivil,mustcome。Truth,independentofdoctrinesortime-honoredsystems,standsatthethresholdofhistory。 Contentmentwiththepast,orthecoldconventionalityofcustom,maynolongershutthedooronscience;thoughempiresfall,\"Hewhoserightitisshallreign。\"IgnoranceofGodshouldnolongerbethestepping-stonetofaith;understandingHim,\"whomtoknowarightisLifeeternal,\"istheonlyguarantyofobedience。 Thisvolumemaynotopenanewthought,andmakeitatoncefamiliar。Ithasthesturdytaskofapioneer,tohackawayatthetalloaksandcuttheroughgranite,leavingfutureagestodeclarewhatithasdone。Wemadeourfirstdiscoveryoftheadaptationofmetaphysicstothetreatmentofdiseaseinthewinterof1866;sincethenwehavetestedthePrincipleonourselvesandothers,andneverfoundittofailtoprovethestatementshereinmadeofit。WemustlearnthescienceofLife,toreachtheperfectionofman。TounderstandGodasthePrincipleofallbeing,andtoliveinaccordancewiththisPrinciple,istheScienceofLife。Buttoreproducethisharmonyofbeing,theerrorofpersonalsensemustyieldtoscience,evenasthescienceofmusiccorrectstonescaughtfromtheear,andgivesthesweetconcordofsound。Therearemanytheoriesofphysicandtheology,andmanycallsineachoftheirdirectionsfortherightway;butweproposetosettlethequestionof\"WhatisTruth?\"onthegroundofproof,andletthatmethodofhealingthesickandestablishingChristianitybeadoptedthatisfoundtogivethemosthealthandtomakethebestChristians;sciencewillthenhaveafairfield,inwhichcaseweareassuredofitstriumphoverallopinionsandbeliefs。Sicknessandsinhaveeverhadtheirdoctors;butthequestionis,Havetheybecomelessbecauseofthem?Thelongevityofourantediluvianswouldsay,No!andthecriminalrecordsoftodayuttertheirvoiceslittleinfavorofsuchaconclusion。NotthatwewoulddenytoCaesarthethingsthatarehis,butthatweaskforthethingsthatbelongtoTruth;andsafelyaffirm,fromthedemonstrationswehavebeenabletomake,thatthescienceofmanunderstoodwouldhaveeradicatedsin,sickness,anddeath,inalessperiodthansixthousandyears。Wefindgreatdifficultiesinstartingthisworkright。Someshockinglyfalseclaimsarealreadymadetoametaphysicalpractice; mesmerism,itsveryantipodes,isoneofthem。Hithertowehavenever,inasingleinstanceofourdiscovery,foundtheslightestresemblancebetweenmesmerismandmetaphysics。Noespecialidiosyncrasyisrequisitetoacquireaknowledgeofmetaphysicalhealing;spiritualsenseismoreimportanttoitsdiscernmentthantheintellect;andthosewhowouldlearnthissciencewithoutahighmoralstandardofthoughtandaction,willfailtounderstandituntiltheygouphigher。Owingtoourexplanationsconstantlyvibratingbetweenthesamepoints,anirksomerepetitionofwordsmustoccur;alsotheuseofcapitalletters,genders,andtechnicalitiespeculiartothescience。Varietyoflanguage,orbeautyofdiction,mustgiveplacetocloseanalysisandunembellishedthought。\"Hopingallthings,enduringallthings,\"todogoodtoourenemies,toblessthemthatcurseus,andtobeartothesorrowingandthesickconsolationandhealing,wecommitthesepagestoposterity。 MARYBAKERG。EDDY。 APPENDIXB TheGospelnarrativesbearbrieftestimonyeventothelifeofourgreatMaster。Hisspiritualnoumenonandphenomenon,silencedportraiture。 Writers,lesswisethantheApostles,essayedintheApocryphalNewTestament,alegendaryandtraditionalhistoryoftheearlylifeofJesus。ButSaintPaulsummarizedthecharacterofJesusasthemodelofChristianity,inthesewords:\"ConsiderHimwhoenduredsuchcontradictionsofsinnersagainstHimself。WhoforthejoythatwassetbeforeHim,enduredthecross,despisingtheshame,andissetdownattherighthandofthethroneofGod。\" Itmaybethatthemortallifebattlestillwages,andmustcontinuetillitsinvolvederrorsarevanquishedbyvictory-bringingScience;butthistriumphwillcome!Godisoverall。Healoneisourorigin,aim,andBeing。Therealmanisnotofthedust,norisheevercreatedthroughtheflesh;forhisfatherandmotheraretheoneSpirit,andhisbrethrenareallthechildrenofoneparent,theeternalGood。 AnykindofliterarycompositionwasexcessivelydifficultforMrs。Eddy。 Shefounditgrindinghardworktodigoutanythingtosay。Sherealized,attheabovestageinherlife,thatwithallhertroubleshehadnotbeenabletoscratchtogetherevenmaterialenoughforachild\'sAutobiography,andalsothatwhatshehadsecuredwasinthemainnotvaluable,notimportant,consideringtheageandthefameofthepersonshewaswritingabout;andsoitoccurredtohertoattempt,inthatparagraph,toexcusethemeagrenessandpoorqualityofthefeastshewasspreading,bylettingonthatshecoulddoeversomuchbetterifshewantedto,butwasunderconstraintofDivineetiquette。TofeedwithmorethanafewindifferentcrumbsaplebeianappetiteforpersonaldetailsaboutPersonagesinherclasswasnotthecorrectthing,andsheblandlypointsoutthatthereisPrecedentforthisreserve。WhenMrs。 Eddytriestobeartful——inliterature——itisgenerallyafterthemanneroftheostrich;andwiththeostrich\'sluck。Pleasetrytofindtheconnectionbetweenthetwoparagraphs。——M。T。 APPENDIXC ThefollowingisthespiritualsignificationoftheLord\'sPrayer: Principle,eternalandharmonious,NamelessandadorableIntelligence,Thouarteverpresentandsupreme。 AndwhenthissupremacyofSpiritshallappear,thedreamofmatterwilldisappear。 GiveustheunderstandingofTruthandLove。 AndlovingweshalllearnGod,andTruthwilldestroyallerror。 AndleadusuntotheLifethatisSoul,anddeliverusfromtheerrorsofsense,sin,sickness,anddeath,ForGodisLife,Truth,andLoveforever。 ——ScienceandHealth,editionof1881。 Itseemstomethatthisoneisdistinctlysuperiortotheonethatwasinspiredforlastyear\'sedition。Itisstrange,buttomymindplain,thatinspiringisanartwhichdoesnotimprovewithpractice。——M。T。 APPENDIXD \"ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Thatwhosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith。ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesirewhenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem。 YourFatherknowethwhatthingsyehaveneedof,beforeyeaskHim。\" ——CHRISTJESUS。 Theprayerthatreclaimsthesinnerandhealsthesick,isanabsolutefaiththatallthingsarepossibletoGod——aspiritualunderstandingofHim——anunselfedlove。Regardlessofwhatanothermaysayorthinkonthissubject,Ispeakfromexperience。Thisprayer,combinedwithself- sacrificeandtoil,isthemeanswherebyGodhasenabledmetodowhatI havedoneforthereligionandhealthofmankind。 ThoughtsunspokenarenotunknowntothedivineMind。Desireisprayer; andnolesscanoccurfromtrustingGodwithourdesires,thattheymaybemouldedandexaltedbeforetheytakeforminaudibleword,andindeeds。 Whatarethemotivesforprayer?Dowepraytomakeourselvesbetter,ortobenefitthosethathearus;toenlightentheInfinite,ortobeheardofmen?Arewebenefitedbypraying?Yes,thedesirewhichgoesforthhungeringafterrighteousnessisblessedofourFather,anditdoesnotreturnuntousvoid。 GodisnotmovedbythebreathofpraisetodomorethanHehasalreadydone;norcantheInfinitedolessthanbestowallgood,sinceHeisunchangingWisdomandLove。Wecandomoreforourselvesbyhumbleferventpetitions;buttheAll-lovingdoesnotgrantthemsimplyonthegroundoflip-service,forHealreadyknowsall。 PrayercannotchangetheScienceofBeing,butitdoesbringusintoharmonywithit。GoodnessreachesthedemonstrationofTruth。Arequestthatanothermayworkforusneverdoesourwork。ThehabitofpleadingwiththedivineMind,asonepleadswithahumanbeing,perpetuatesthebeliefinGodashumanlycircumscribed——anerrorwhichimpedesspiritualgrowth。 GodisLove。CanweaskHimtobemore?GodisIntelligence。CanweinformtheinfiniteMind,ortellHimanythingHedoesnotalreadycomprehend?Dowehopetochangeperfection?Shallwepleadformoreattheopenfount,whichalwayspoursforthmorethanwereceive?TheunspokenprayerdoesbringusnearertheSourceofallexistenceandblessedness。 AskingGodtobeGodisa\"vainrepetition。\"Godis\"thesameyesterday,andto-day,andforever\";andHewhoisimmutablyrightwilldoright,withoutbeingremindedofHisprovince。ThewisdomofmanisnotsufficienttowarranthiminadvisingGod。 Whowouldstandbeforeablackboard,andpraytheprincipleofmathematicstoworkouttheproblem?Theruleisalreadyestablished,anditisourtasktoworkoutthesolution。ShallweaskthedivinePrincipleofallgoodnesstodoHisownwork?Hisworkisdone;andwehaveonlytoavailourselvesofGod\'srule,inordertoreceivetheblessingthereof。 ThedivineBeingmustbereflectedbyman——elsemanisnottheimageandlikenessofthepatient,tender,andtrue,theone\"altogetherlovely\"; buttounderstandGodistheworkofeternity,anddemandsabsoluteconcentrationofthoughtandenergy。 HowemptyareourconceptionsofDeity!WeadmittheoreticallythatGodisgood,omnipotent,omnipresent,infinite,andthenwetrytogiveinformationtothisinfiniteMind;andpleadforunmeritedpardon,andaliberaloutpouringofbenefactions。Arewereallygratefulforthegoodalreadyreceived?Thenweshallavailourselvesoftheblessingswehave,andthusbefittedtoreceivemore。GratitudeismuchmorethanaverbalexpressionofthanksActionexpressesmoregratitudethanspeech。 IfweareungratefulforLife,Truth,andLove,andyetreturnthankstoGodforallblessings,weareinsincere;andincurthesharpcensureourMasterpronouncesonhypocrites。Insuchacasetheonlyacceptableprayeristoputthefingeronthelipsandrememberourblessings。 WhiletheheartisfarfromdivineTruthandLove,wecannotconcealtheingratitudeofbarrenlives,forGodknowethallthings。 Whatwemostneedistheprayerofferventdesireforgrowthingrace,expressedinpatience,meekness,love,andgooddeeds。TokeepthecommandmentsofourMasterandfollowhisexample,isourproperdebttoHim,andtheonlyworthyevidenceofourgratitudeforallHehasdone。 Outwardworshipisnotofitselfsufficienttoexpressloyalandheartfeltgratitude,sinceHehassaid:\"IfyeloveMe,keepMyCommandments。\" Thehabitualstruggletobealwaysgood,isunceasingprayer。Itsmotivesaremademanifestintheblessingstheybring——which,ifnotacknowledgedinaudiblewords,attestourworthinesstobemadepartakersofLove。 SimplyaskingthatwemayloveGodwillnevermakeusloveHim;butthelongingtobebetterandholier——expressedindailywatchfulness,andinstrivingtoassimilatemoreofthedivinecharacter——thiswillmouldandfashionusanew,untilweawakeinHislikeness。WereachtheScienceofChristianitythroughdemonstrationofthedivinenature;butinthiswickedworldgoodnesswill\"beevilspokenof,\"andpatiencemustworkexperience。 Audibleprayercanneverdotheworksofspiritualunderstanding,whichregenerates;butsilentprayer,watchfulness,anddevoutobedience,enableustofollowJesus\'example。Longprayers,ecclesiasticism,andcreeds,haveclippedthedivinepinionsofLove,andcladreligioninhumanrobes。Theymaterializeworship,hindertheSpirit,andkeepmanfromdemonstratinghispowerovererror。 Sorrowforwrong-doingisbutonesteptowardsreform,andtheveryeasieststep。ThenextandgreatsteprequiredbyWisdomisthetestofoursincerity——namely,reformation。Tothisendweareplacedunderthestressofcircumstances。Temptationbidsusrepeattheoffence,andwoecomesinreturnforwhatisdone。Soitwilleverbe,tillwelearnthatthereisnodiscountinthelawofjustice,andthatwemustpay\"theuttermostfarthing。\"Themeasureyemete\"shallbemeasuredtoyouagain,\"anditwillbefull\"andrunningover。\" Saintsandsinnersgettheirfullaward,butnotalwaysinthisworld。 ThefollowersofChristdrankHiscup。Ingratitudeandpersecutionfilledittothebrim;butGodpourstherichesofHisloveintotheunderstandingandaffections,givingusstrengthaccordingtoourday。 Sinnersflourish\"likeagreenbay-tree\";but,lookingfarther,thePsalmistcouldseetheirend——namely,thedestructionofsinthroughsuffering。 Prayerissometimesused,asaconfessionaltocancelsin。Thiserrorimpedestruereligion。Sinisforgiven,onlyasitisdestroyedbyChrist-TruthandLifeIfprayernourishesthebeliefthatsiniscancelled,andthatmanismadebetterbymerelypraying,itisanevil。 Hegrowsworsewhocontinuesinsinbecausehethinkshimselfforgiven。 AnapostlesaysthattheSonofGod(Christ)cameto\"destroytheworksofthedevil。\"WeshouldfollowourdivineExemplar,andseekthedestructionofallevilworks,erroranddiseaseincluded。Wecannotescapethepenaltydueforsin。TheScripturessay,thatifwedenyChrist,\"Healsowilldenyus。\" ThedivineLovecorrectsandgovernsman。Menmaypardon,butthisdivinePrinciplealonereformsthesinner。GodisnotseparatefromthewisdomHebestows。ThetalentsHegiveswemustimprove。CallingonHimtoforgiveourwork,badlydoneorleftundone,impliesthevainsuppositionthatwehavenothingtodobuttoaskpardon,andthatafterwardsweshallbefreetorepeattheoffence。 Tocausesuffering,astheresultofsin,isthemeansofdestroyingsin。 Everysupposedpleasureinsinwillfurnishmorethanitsequivalentofpain,untilbeliefinmateriallifeandsinisdestroyed。Toreachheaven,theharmonyofBeing,wemustunderstandthedivinePrincipleofBeing。 \"GodisLove。\"Morethanthiswecannotask;higherwecannotlook; fartherwecannotgo。TosupposethatGodforgivesorpunishessin,accordingasHismercyissoughtorunsought,istomisunderstandLoveandmakeprayerthesafety-valveforwrong-doing。 JesusuncoveredandrebukedsinbeforeHecastitout。OfasickwomanHesaidthatSatanhadboundher;andtoPeterHesaid,\"Thouartanoffenseuntome。\"Hecameteachingandshowingmenhowtodestroysin,sickness,anddeath。Hesaidofthefruitlesstree,\"Itishewndown。\" Itisbelievedbymanythatacertainmagistrate,wholivedinthetimeofJesus,leftthisrecord:\"Hisrebukeisfearful。\"ThestronglanguageofourMasterconfirmsthisdescription。 TheonlycivilsentencewhichHehadforerrorwas,\"GettheebehindMe,Satan。\"StillstrongerevidencethatJesus\'reproofwaspointedandpungentisinHisownwords——showingthenecessityforsuchforcibleutterance,whenHecastoutdevilsandhealedthesickandsinful。Therelinquishmentoferrordeprivesmaterialsenseofitsfalseclaims。 Audibleprayerisimpressive;itgivesmomentarysolemnityandelevationtothought;butdoesitproduceanylastingbenefit?Lookingdeeplyintothesethings,wefindthat\"azeal……notaccordingtoknowledge,\" givesoccasionforreactionunfavorabletospiritualgrowth,soberresolve,andwholesomeperceptionofGod\'srequirements。ThemotivesforverbalprayermayembracetoomuchloveofapplausetoinduceorencourageChristiansentiment。 Physicalsensation,notSoul,producesmaterialecstasy,andemotions。 Ifspiritualsensealwaysguidedmenatsuchtimes,therewouldgrowoutofthoseecstaticmomentsahigherexperienceandabetterlife,withmoredevoutself-abnegation,andpurity。Aself-satisfiedventilationofferventsentimentsnevermakesaChristian。Godisnotinfluencedbyman。The\"divineear\"isnotanauditoria!nerve。Itistheall- hearingandall-knowingMind,towhomeachwantofmanisalwaysknown,andbywhomitwillbesupplied。 Thedangerfromaudibleprayeris,thatitmayleadusintotemptation。 Byitwemaybecomeinvoluntaryhypocrites,utteringdesireswhicharenotreal,andconsolingourselvesinthemidstofsin,withtherecollectionthatwehaveprayedoverit——ormeantoaskforgivenessatsomelaterday。Hypocrisyisfataltoreligion。 Awordyprayermayaffordaquietsenseofself-justification,thoughitmakesthesinnerahypocrite。Weneverneeddespairofanhonestheart,butthereislittlehopeforthosewhoonlycomespasmodicallyfacetofacewiththeirwickedness,andthenseektohideit。Theirprayersareindexeswhichdonotcorrespondwiththeircharacter。Theyholdsecretfellowshipwithsin;andsuchexternalsarespokenofbyJesusas\"likeuntowhitedsepulchres……fullofalluncleanness。\" Ifaman,thoughapparentlyferventandprayerful,isimpure,andthereforeinsincere,whatmustbethecommentuponhim?Ifhehadreachedtheloftinessofhisprayer,therewouldbenooccasionforsuchcomment。Ifwefeeltheaspiration,humility,gratitude,andlovewhichourwordsexpress——thisGodaccepts;anditiswisenottotrytodeceiveour。selvesorothers,for\"thereisnothingcoveredthatshallnotberevealed。\"Professionsandaudibleprayersarelikecharityinonerespect——they\"coveramultitudeofsins。\"Prayingforhumility,withwhateverfervencyofexpression,doesnotalwaysmeanadesireforit。 Ifweturnawayfromthepoor,wearenotreadytoreceivetherewardofHimwhoblessesthepoor。Weconfesstohavingaverywickedheart,andaskthatitmaybelaidbarebeforeus;butdowenotalreadyknowmoreofthisheartthanwearewillingtohaveourneighborsee? Weoughttoexamineourselves,andlearnwhatistheaffectionandpurposeoftheheart;forthisalonecanshowuswhatwehonestlyare。 Ifafriendinformsusofafault,dowelistentotherebukepatiently,andcreditwhatissaid?Dowenotrathergivethanksthatweare\"notasothermen?\"Duringmanyyearstheauthorhasbeenmostgratefulformeritedrebuke。Thestingliesinunmeritedcensure——inthefalsehoodwhichdoesnooneanygood。 Thetestofallprayerliesintheanswertothesequestions:Doweloveourneighborbetterbecauseofthisasking?Dowepursuetheoldselfishness,satisfiedwithhavingprayedforsomethingbetter,thoughwegivenoevidenceofthesincerityofourrequestsbylivingconsistentlywithourprayer?Ifselfishnesshasgivenplacetokindness,weshallregardourneighborunselfishly,andblessthemthatcurseus;butweshallnevermeetthisgreatdutybysimplyaskingthatitmaybedone。 Thereisacrosstobetakenup,beforewecanenjoythefruitionofourhopeandfaith。 Dostthou\"lovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart,andwithallthysoul,andwithallthymind?\"Thiscommandincludesmuch——eventhesurrenderofallmerelymaterialsensation,affection,andworship。ThisistheE1DoradoofChristianity。ItinvolvestheScienceofLife,andrecognizesonlythedivinecontrolofSpirit,whereinSoulisourmaster,andmaterialsenseandhumanwillhavenoplace。 AreyouwillingtoleaveallforChrist,forTruth,andsobecountedamongsinners?No!Doyoureallydesiretoattainthispoint?No! Thenwhymakelongprayersaboutit,andasktobeChristians,sinceyoucarenottotreadinthefootstepsofourdearMaster?IfunwillingtofollowHisexample,whereforepraywiththelipsthatyoumaybepartakersofHisnature?Consistentprayeristhedesiretodoright。 Prayermeansthatwedesireto,andwill,walkinthelightsofaraswereceiveit,eventhoughwithbleedingfootsteps,andwaitingpatientlyontheLord,willleaveourrealdesirestoberewardedbyHim。 Theworldmustgrowtothespiritualunderstandingofprayer。IfgoodenoughtoprofitbyJesus\'cupofearthlysorrows,Godwillsustainusunderthesesorrows。Untilwearethusdivinelyqualified,andwillingtodrinkHiscup,millionsofvainrepetitionswillneverpourintoprayertheunctionofSpirit,indemonstrationofpower,and\"withsignsfollowing。\"ChristianSciencerevealsanecessityforovercomingtheworld,thefleshandevil,andthusdestroyingallerror。 Seekingisnotsufficient。Itisstrivingwhichenablesustoenter。 SpiritualattainmentsopenthedoortoahigherunderstandingofthedivineLife。 OneoftheformsofworshipinThibetistocarryapraying-machinethroughthestreets,andstopatthedoorstoearnapennybygrindingoutaprayer;whereascivilizationpaysforclericalprayers,inloftyedifices。Isthedifferenceverygreat,afterall? Experienceteachesusthatwedonotalwaysreceivetheblessingsweaskforinprayer。 Thereissomemisapprehensionofthesourceandmeansofallgoodnessandblessedness,orweshouldcertainlyreceivewhatweaskfor。TheScripturessay:\"Yeask,andreceivenot,becauseyeaskamiss,thatyemayconsumeituponyourlusts。\"Whatwedesireandaskforitisnotalwaysbestforustoreceive。InthiscaseinfiniteLovewillnotgranttherequest。DoyouaskWisdomtobemercifulandnotpunishsin?Then\"yeaskamiss。\"Withoutpunishment,sinwouldmultiply。Jesus\'prayer,\"forgiveusourdebts,\"specifiedalsothetermsofforgiveness。WhenforgivingtheadulterouswomanHesaid,\"Go,andsinnomore。\" Amagistratesometimesremitsthepenalty,butthismaybenomoralbenefittothecriminal;andatbest,itonlysaveshimfromoneformofpunishment。Themorallaw,whichhastherighttoacquitorcondemn,alwaysdemandsrestitution,beforemortalscan\"gouphigher。\"Brokenlawbringspenalty,inordertocompelthisprogress。 Merelegalpardon(andthereisnoother,fordivinePrincipleneverpardonsoursinsormistakestilltheyarecorrected)leavestheoffenderfreetorepeattheoffense;if,indeed,hehasnotalreadysufferedsufficientlyfromvicetomakehimturnfromitwithloathing。Truthbestowsnopardonuponerror,butwipesitoutinthemosteffectualmanner。Jesussufferedforoursins,nottoannulthedivinesentenceagainstanindividual\'ssin,buttoshowthatsinmustbringinevitablesuffering。 Petitionsonlybringtomortalstheresultsoftheirownfaith。Weknowthatadesireforholinessisrequisiteinordertogainit;butifwedesireholinessaboveallelse,weshallsacrificeeverythingforit。Wemustbewillingtodothis,thatwemaywalksecurelyintheonlypracticalroadtoholiness。PrayeralonecannotchangetheunalterableTruth,orgiveusanunderstandingofit;butprayercoupledwithaferventhabitualdesiretoknowanddothewillofGodwillbringusintoallTruth。Suchadesirehaslittleneedofaudibleexpression。Itisbestexpressedinthoughtandlife。 APPENDIXE ReverendHeberNewtononChristianScience: Tobegin,then,atthebeginning,ChristianScienceacceptstheworkofhealingsicknessasanintegralpartofthediscipleshipofJesusChrist。 InChristitfinds,whattheChurchhasalwaysrecognized,theoretically,thoughithaspracticallyignoredthefact——theGreatPhysician。ThatChristhealedthesick,wenoneofusquestion。Itstandsplainlyupontherecord。ThisministryofhealingwastoolargeapartofHisworktobeleftoutfromanypictureofthatlife。SuchservicewasnotanincidentofHiscareer——itwasanessentialelementofthatcareer。ItwasanintegralfactorinHismission。TheEvangelistsleaveusnopossibilityofconfusiononthispoint。Co-equalwithhisworkofinstructionandinspirationwasHisworkofhealing。 TherecordsmakeitequallyclearthattheMasterlaidHischargeuponHisdisciplestodoasHehaddone。\"WhenHehadcalleduntoHimHistwelvedisciples,Hegavethempoweroveruncleanspirits,tocastthemout,andtohealallmannerofsicknessandallmannerofdisease。\"Insendingthemforth,\"Hecommandedthem,saying,……Asyego,preach,saying,Thekingdomofheavenisathand。Healthesick,cleansethelepers,raisethedead,castoutdemons。\" ThatthetwelvedisciplesundertooktodotheMaster\'sworkofhealing,andthatthey,intheirmeasure,succeeded,seemsbeyondquestion。TheyfoundinthemselvesthesamepowerthattheMasterfoundinHimself,andtheyuseditasHehadusedHispower。TherecordofTheActsoftheApostles,ifatalltrustworthyhistory,showsthatthey,too,healedthesick。 Beyondthecircleoftheoriginaltwelve,itisequallyclearthattheearlydisciplesbelievedthemselveschargedwiththesamemission,andthattheysoughttofulfilit。TherecordsoftheearlyChurchmakeitindisputablethatpowersofhealingwererecognizedasamongthegiftsoftheSpirit。St。Paul\'slettersrenderitcertainthatthesegiftswerenotaprivilegeoftheoriginaltwelve,merely,butthattheyweretheheritageintowhichallthedisciplesentered。 BeyondtheeraoftheprimitiveChurch,throughseveralgenerations,theearlyChristiansfeltthemselvescalledtothesameministryofhealing,andenabledwiththesamesecretofpower。Throughwellnighthreecenturies,thegiftsofhealingappeartohavebeen,moreorless,recognizedandexercisedintheChurch。Throughthosegenerations,however,therewasagradualdisuseofthispower,followinguponafailingrecognitionofitspossession。Thatwhichwasoriginallytherulebecametheexception。Bydegrees,thesenseofauthorityandpowertohealpassedoutfromtheconsciousnessoftheChurch。ItceasedtobeasignoftheindwellingSpirit。Forfifteencenturies,therecognitionofthisauthorityandpowerhasbeenaltogetherexceptional。Hereandthere,throughthehistoryofthesecenturies,therehavebeenthosewhohaveenteredintothisbeliefoftheirownprivilegeandduty,andhaveusedthegiftwhichtheyrecognized。TheChurchhasneverbeenleftwithoutalineofwitnessestothisaspectofthediscipleshipofChrist。 ButshehascometoacceptitasthenormalorderofthingsthatwhatwasoncetheruleintheChristianChurchshouldbenowonlytheexception。 OrthodoxyhasframedatheoryofthewordsofJesustoaccountforthisstrangedepartureofHisChurchfromthem。ItteachesustobelievethatHisexamplewasnotmeanttobefollowed,inthisrespect,byallHisdisciples。ThepowerofhealingwhichwasinHimwasapurelyexceptionalpower。ItwasusedasanevidenceofHisdivinemission。Itwasamiraculousgift。ThegiftofworkingmiracleswasnotbestoweduponHisChurchatlarge。Hisoriginaldisciples,thetwelveapostles,receivedthisgift,asanecessityofthecriticalepochofChristianity——thefoundingoftheChurch。Tracesofthepowerlingeredon,inweakeningactivity,untiltheygraduallyceased,andthenormalconditionoftheChurchwasenteredupon,inwhichmiraclesarenolongerpossible。 Weacceptthis,unconsciously,asthetruestateofthingsinChristianity。Butitisaconceptionwhichwillnotbearamoment\'sexamination。ThereisnottheslightestsuggestionuponrecordthatChristsetanylimittothischargewhichHegaveHisdisciples。Onthecontrary,therearenotlackinghintsthatHelookedforthepossessionandexerciseofthispowerwhereverHisspiritbreathedinmen。 EveniftheconcludingparagraphofSt。Mark\'sGospelwerealaterappendix,itmaynonethelesshavebeenafaithfulechoofwordsoftheMaster,asitcertainlyisatrustworthyrecordofthebeliefoftheearlyChristiansastothethoughtofJesusconcerningHisfollowers。Inthatinterestingpassage,Jesus,afterHisdeath,appearedtotheeleven,andformallycommissionedthem,again,totakeupHisworkintheworld; biddingthem,\"Goyeintoalltheworldandpreachthegospeltoeverycreature。\"\"Andthesesigns,\"Hetellsthem,\"shallfollowthemthatbelieve\"——nottheapostlesonly,but\"themthatbelieve,\"withoutlimitoftime;\"inMynametheyshallcastoutdevils……theyshalllayhandsonthesickandtheyshallrecover。\"Theconcludingdiscoursetothedisciples,recordedintheGospelaccordingtoSt。John,affirmsthesameexpectationonthepartofJesus;emphasizingitinHissolemnway: \"Verily,verily,Isayuntoyou,HethatbelievethonMe,theworksthatIdoshallhedoalso;andgreaterworksthantheseshallhedo。\" APPENDIXF Fewwilldenythatanintelligenceapartfrommanformedandgovernsthespiritualuniverseandman;andthisintelligenceistheeternalMind,andneithermatternormancreatedthisintelligenceanddivinePrinciple;norcanthisPrincipleproduceaughtunlikeitself。Allthatwetermsin,sickness,anddeathiscomprisedinthebeliefofmatter。 Therealmoftherealisspiritual;theoppositeofSpiritismatter;andtheoppositeoftherealisunrealormaterial。Matterisanerrorofstatement,forthereisnomatter。Thiserrorofpremisesleadstoerrorofconclusionineverystatementofmatterasabasis。Nothingwecansayorbelieveregardingmatteristrue,exceptthatmatterisunreal,simplyabeliefthathasitsbeginningandending。 TheconservativefirmcalledmatterandmindGodneverformed。TheunerringandeternalMinddestroysthisimaginarycopartnership,formedonlytobedissolvedinamannerandataperiodunknown。Thiscopartnershipisobsolete。Placedunderthemicroscopeofmetaphysicsmatterdisappears。Onlybyunderstandingtherearenottwo,matterandmind,isalogicalandcorrectconclusionobtainedbyeitherone。