But she had forgotten to bring her glasses.
“Well, it is no matter,” she said. “I remember the words–indeed, all
Christian Scientists know the book by heart; it is necessary in our
practice. We should otherwise make mistakes and do harm. She begins
thus: ‘ In the year 1866 I discovered the Science of Metaphysical
Healing, and named it Christian Science.’ And She says quite beautifully,
I think–‘ Through Christian Science, religion and medicine are inspired
with a diviner nature and essence, fresh pinions are given to faith and
understanding, and thoughts acquaint themselves intelligently with God.’
Her very words.”
“It is elegant. And it is a fine thought, too–marrying religion to
medicine, instead of medicine to the undertaker in the old way; for
religion and medicine properly belong together, they being the basis of
all spiritual and physical health. What kind of medicine do you give for
the ordinary diseases, such as–”
“We never give medicine in any circumstances whatever! We–”
“But, madam, it says–”
“I don’t care what it says, and I don’t wish to talk about it.”
“I am sorry if I have offended, but you see the mention seemed in some
way inconsistent, and–”
“There are no inconsistencies in Christian Science. The thing is
impossible, for the Science is absolute. It cannot be otherwise, since
it proceeds directly from the All-in-all and the Everything-in-Which,
also Soul, Bones, Truth, one of a series, alone and without equal. It is
Mathematics purified from material dross and made spiritual.”
“I can see that, but–”
“It rests upon the immovable basis of an Apodictical Principle.”
The word flattened itself against my mind in trying to get in, and
disordered me a little, and before I could inquire into its pertinency,
she was already throwing the needed light:
“This Apodictical Principle is the absolute Principle of Scientific Mind-
healing, the sovereign Omnipotence which delivers the children of men
from pain, disease, decay, and every ill that flesh is heir to.”
“Surely not every ill, every decay?”
“Every one; there are no exceptions; there is no such thing as decay–it
is an unreality, it has no existence.”
“But without your glasses your failing eyesight does not permit you to–”
“My eyesight cannot fail; nothing can fail; the Mind is master, and the
Mind permits no retrogression.”
She was under the inspiration of the Third Degree, therefore there could
be no profit in continuing this part of the subject. I shifted to other
ground and inquired further concerning the Discoverer of the Science.
“Did the discovery come suddenly, like Klondike, or after long study and
calculation, like America?”
“The comparisons are not respectful, since they refer to trivialities–
but let it pass. I will answer in the Discoverer’s own words: ‘God had
been graciously fitting me, during many years, for the reception of a
final revelation of the absolute Principle of Scientific Mind-healing.”
“Many years. How many?”
“Eighteen centuries!”
“All–God, God–good, good–God, Truth, Bones, Liver, one of a series,
alone and without equal–it is amazing!”
“You may well say it, sir. Yet it is but the truth This American lady,
our revered and sacred Founder, is distinctly referred to, and her coming
prophesied, in the twelfth chapter of the Apocalypse; she could not have
been more plainly indicated by St. John without actually mentioning her
name.”
“How strange, how wonderful!”
“I will quote her own words, from her Key to the Scriptures: ‘The twelfth
chapter of the Apocalypse has a special suggestiveness in connection with
this nineteenth century.’ There–do you note that? Think–note it well.”
“But–what does it mean?”
“Listen, and you will know. I quote her inspired words again: ‘In the
opening of the Sixth Seal, typical of six thousand years since Adam,
there is one distinctive feature which has special reference to the
present age. Thus:
“‘Revelation xii. I. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven–a
woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her
head a crown of twelve stars.’
“That is our Head, our Chief, our Discoverer of Christian Science–
nothing can be plainer, nothing surer. And note this:
“‘Revelation xii. 6. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she
had a place prepared of God.’