The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg and Other Storie小说第4章

第4章

　　Think——noteitwell。'
　　'But——whatdoesitmean？'
　　'Listen，andyouwillknow。Iquoteherinspiredwordsagain："IntheopeningoftheSixthSeal，typicalofsixthousandyearssinceAdam，thereisonedistinctivefeaturewhichhasspecialreferencetothepresentage。Thus：
　　'"Revelationxii。1。Andthereappearedagreatwonderinheaven——awomanclothedwiththesun，andthemoonunderherfeet，anduponherheadacrownoftwelvestars。"
　　'ThatisourHead，ourChief，ourDiscovererofChristianScience——
　　nothingcanbeplainer，nothingsurer。Andnotethis：
　　'"Revelationxii。6。Andthewomanfledintothewilderness，whereshehadaplacepreparedofGod。"
　　'ThatisBoston。'
　　'Irecogniseit，madam。Thesearesublimethingsandimpressive；Ineverunderstoodthesepassagesbefore；pleasegoonwiththe——withthe——
　　proofs。'
　　'Verywell。Listen：
　　'"AndIsawanothermightyangelcomedownfromheaven，clothedwithacloud；andarainbowwasuponhishead，andhisfacewasasitwerethesun，andhisfeetaspillarsoffire。Andhehadinhishandalittlebook。"
　　'Alittlebook，merelyalittlebook——couldwordsbemodester？Yethowstupendousitsimportance！Doyouknowwhatbookthatwas？'
　　'Wasit——'
　　'Iholditinmyhand——"ChristianScience"！'
　　'Love，Livers，Lights，Bones，Truth，Kidneys，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal——itisbeyondimaginationandwonder！'
　　'HearourFounder'seloquentwords："Thenwillavoicefromharmonycry，'Goandtakethelittlebook；takeitandeatitup，anditshallmakethybellybitter；butitshallbeinthymouthsweetashoney。'Mortal，obeytheheavenlyevangel。TakeupDivineScience。Readitfrombeginningtoend。Studyit，ponderit。Itwillbeindeedsweetatitsfirsttaste，whenithealsyou；butmurmurnotoverTruth，ifyoufinditsdigestionbitter。"YounowknowthehistoryofourdearandholyScience，sir，andthatitsoriginisnotofthisearth，butonlyitsdiscovery。Iwillleavethebookwithyouandwillgo，now，butgiveyourselfnouneasiness——IwillgiveyouabsenttreatmentfromnowtillI
　　gotobed。'
　　III
　　Underthepowerfulinfluenceoftheneartreatmentandtheabsenttreatmenttogether，mybonesweregraduallyretreatinginwardanddisappearingfromview。Thegoodwordtookabriskstart，now，andwentonquiteswiftly。Mybodywasdiligentlystrainingandstretching，thiswayandthat，toaccommodatetheprocessesofrestoration，andeveryminuteortwoIheardadullclickinsideandknewthatthetwoendsofafracturehadbeensuccessfullyjoined。Thismuffledclickingandgrittingandgrindingandraspingcontinuedduringthenextthreehours，andthenstopped——theconnectionshadallbeenmade。Allexceptdislocations；therewereonlysevenofthese：hips，shoulders，knees，neck；sothatwassoonover；oneafteranothertheyslippedintotheirsocketswithasoundlikepullingadistantcork，andIjumpedupasgoodasnew，astoframework，andsentforthehorse-doctor。
　　IwasobligedtodothisbecauseIhadastomach-acheandacoldinthehead，andIwasnotwillingtotrustthesethingsanylongerinthehandsofawomanwhomIdidnotknow，andinwhoseabilitytosuccessfullytreatmerediseaseIhadlostallconfidence。Mypositionwasjustifiedbythefactthatthecoldandtheachehadbeeninherchargefromthefirst，alongwiththefractures，buthadexperiencednotashadeofrelief；andindeedtheachewasevengrowingworseandworse，andmoreandmorebitter，now，probablyonaccountoftheprotractedabstentionfromfoodanddrink。
　　Thehorse-doctorcame，apleasantmanandfullofhopeandprofessionalinterestinthecase。Inthematterofsmellhewasprettyaromatic，infactquitehorsey，andItriedtoarrangewithhimforabsenttreatment，butitwasnotinhisline，sooutofdelicacyIdidnotpressit。Helookedatmyteethandexaminedmyhock，andsaidmyageandgeneralconditionwerefavourabletoenergeticmeasures；thereforehewouldgivemesomethingtoturnthestomach-acheintothebottsandthecoldintheheadintotheblindstaggers；thenheshouldbeonhisownbeatandwouldknowwhattodo。Hemadeupabucketofbran-mash，andsaidadipperfulofiteverytwohours，alternatedwithadrenchwithturpentineandaxle-greaseinit，wouldeitherknockmyailmentsoutofmeintwenty-fourhoursorsointerestmeinotherwaysastomakemeforgettheywereonthepremises。Headministeredmyfirstdosehimself，thentookhisleave，sayingIwasfreetoeatanddrinkanythingIpleasedandinanyquantityIliked。ButIwasnothungryanymore，anddidnotcareforfood。
　　Itookupthe'ChristianScientist'bookandreadhalfofit，thentookadipperfulofdrenchandreadtheotherhalf。Theresultingexperienceswerefullofinterestandadventure。AllthroughtherumblingsandgrindingsandquakingsandeffervescingsaccompanyingtheevolutionoftheacheintothebottsandthecoldintotheblindstaggersIcouldnotethegenerousstruggleformasterygoingonbetweenthemashandthedrenchandtheliterature；andoftenIcouldtellwhichwasahead，andcouldeasilydistinguishtheliteraturefromtheotherswhentheotherswereseparate，thoughnotwhentheyweremixed；forwhenabran-mashandaneclecticdrencharemixedtogethertheylookjustliketheApodicticalPrincipleoutonalark，andnoonecantellitfromthat。Thefinishwasreachedatlast，theevolutionswerecompleteandafinesuccess；butIthinkthatthisresultcouldhavebeenachievedwithfewermaterials。
　　Ibelievethemashwasnecessarytotheconversionofthestomach-acheintotheboots，butIthinkonecoulddeveloptheblindstaggersoutoftheliteraturebyitself；also，thatblindstaggersproducedinthiswaywouldbeofabetterqualityandmorelastingthananyproducedbytheartificialprocessesofahorse-doctor。
　　Forofallthestrange，andfrantic，andincomprehensible，anduninterpretablebookswhichtheimaginationofmanhascreated，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，youseemtobelisteningtoavigorousinstrumentwhichismakinganoiseitthinksisatune，butwhichtopersonsnotmembersofthebandisonlythemartialtootingofatrombone，andmerelystirsthesoulthroughthenoisebutdoesnotconveyameaning。
　　Thebook'sserenitiesofself-satisfactiondoalmostseemtosmackofaheavenlyorigin——theyhavenoblood-kinintheearth。Itismorethanhumantobesoplacidlycertainaboutthings，andsofinelysuperior，andsoairilycontentwithone'sperformance。WithouteverpresentinganythingwhichmayrightfullybecalledbythestrongnameofEvidence，andsometimeswithoutevenmentioningareasonforadeductionatall，itthundersoutthestartlingwords，'IhaveProved'soandso！IttakesthePopeandallthegreatgunsofhischurchinbatteryassembledtoauthoritativelysettleandestablishthemeaningofasoleandsingleunclarifiedpassageofScripture，andthisatvastcostoftimeandstudyandreflection，buttheauthorofthisworkissuperiortoallthat：shefindsthewholeBibleinanunclarifiedcondition，andatsmallexpenseoftimeandnoexpenseofmentaleffortsheclarifiesitfromlidtolid，reorganisesandimprovesthemeanings，thenauthoritativelysettlesandestablishesthemwithformulaewhichyoucannottellfrom'Lettherebelight！'and'Hereyouhaveit！'Itisthefirsttimesincethedawn-daysofCreationthataVoicehasgonecrashingthroughspacewithsuchplacidandcomplacentconfidenceandcommand。
　　IV
　　Aworduponaquestionofauthorship。Notthatquite；but，rather，aquestionofemendationandrevision。WeknowthattheBible-AnnexwasnotwrittenbyMrs。Eddy，butwashandeddowntohereighteenhundredyearsagobytheAngeloftheApocalypse；butdidshetranslateitalone，ordidshehavehelp？Thereseemstobeevidencethatshehadhelp。Fortherearefourseveralcopyrightsonit——1875，1885，1890，1894。ItdidnotcomedowninEnglish，forinthatlanguageitcouldnothaveacquiredcopyright——therewerenocopyrightlawseighteencenturiesago，andinmyopinionnoEnglishlanguage——atleastupthere。ThismakesitsubstantiallycertainthattheAnnexisatranslation。Then，wasnotthefirsttranslationcomplete？Ifitwas，onwhatgroundswerethelatercopyrightsgranted？
　　Isurmisethatthefirsttranslationwaspoor；andthatafriendorfriendsofMrs。EddymendeditsEnglishthreetimes，andfinallygotitintoitspresentshape，wherethegrammarisplentygoodenough，andthesentencesaresmoothandplausiblethoughtheydonotmeananything。I
　　thinkIamrightinthissurmise，forMrs。EddycannotwriteEnglishto-day，andthisisargumentthatshenevercould。Iamnotabletoguesswhodidthemending，butIthinkitwasnotdonebyanymemberoftheEddyTrust，norbytheeditorsofthe'ChristianScienceJournal，'
　　fortheirEnglishisnotmuchbetterthanMrs。Eddy's。
　　However，astothemainpoint：itiscertainthatMrs。EddydidnotdoctortheAnnex'sEnglishherself。Heroriginal，spontaneous，undoctoredEnglishfurnishesampleproofofthis。Herearesamplesfromrecentarticlesfromherunappeasablepen；doublecolumnedwiththemareacoupleofpassagesfromtheAnnex。Itwillbeseenthattheythrowlight。Theitalicsaremine：
　　1。'Whatplaguespot，'Thereforetheefficientorbacilliweresicgnawingremedyistodestroythesicattheheartofthispatient'sunfortunatebelief，metropolis……andbringingbybothsilentlyandaudiblyitonbendedknee？arguingtheoppositefactsinWhy，itwasaninstitutethatregardtoharmoniousbeinghadentereditsvitalssicrepresentingmanasthat，amongotherthings，healthfulinsteadofdiseased，taughtgames，'etcetera。P。andshowingthatitis670，'C。S。Journal，'articleimpossibleformattertosuffer，entitled'ANarrative-bytofeelpainorheat，tobeMaryBakerG。Eddy。'thirstyorsick。'P。375，Annex。
　　2。'Parkssprangupsic……
　　electricstreetcarsrun'Manisneversick；forsicmerrilythroughseveralMindisnotsick，andmatterstreets，concretesidewalkscannotbe。Afalsebeliefandmacadamisedroadsdottedisboththetempterandthesictheplace，'etcetera。tempted，thesinandtheIbid。sinner，thediseaseandits3。'Shornsicofitscause。Itiswelltobecalmsuburbsithadindeedlittleinsickness；tobehopefulislefttoadmire，savetosicstillbetter；buttosuchasfancyaskeletonunderstandthatsicknessisnotabovegroundbreathingsicreal，andthatTruthcanslowlythroughabarrensicdestroyit，isbestofall，forbreast。'Ibid。itistheuniversalandperfectremedy。'Chapterxii。，Annex。
　　Younoticethecontrastbetweenthesmooth，plausible，elegant，addledEnglishofthedoctoredAnnexandthelumbering，ragged，ignorantoutputofthetranslator'snatural，spontaneous，andunmedicatedpenwork。TheEnglishoftheAnnexhasbeenslickedupbyaveryindustriousandpainstakinghand——butitwasnotMrs。Eddy's。
　　IfMrs。EddyreallywroteortranslatedtheAnnex，heroriginaldraftwasexactlyinharmonywiththeEnglishofherplague-spotorbacilliwhichweregnawingattheinsidesofthemetropolisandbringingitsheartonbendedknee，thusexposingtotheeyetherestoftheskeletonbreathingslowlythroughabarrenbreast。Anditborelittleornoresemblancetothebookaswehaveitnow——nowthatthesalariedpolisherhasholystonedallofthegenuineEddytiesoutofit。
　　Willtheplague-spotarticlegointoavolumejustasitstands？Ithinknot。Ithinkthepolisherwilltakeoffhiscoatandvestandcravatand'demonstrateover'itacoupleofweeksandsweatitintoashapesomethinglikethefollowing——andthenMrs。Eddywillpublishitandleavepeopletobelievethatshedidthepolishingherself：
　　1。Whatinjuriousinfluencewasitthatwasaffectingthecity'smorals？
　　Itwasasocialclubwhichpropagatedaninterestinidleamusements，disseminatedaknowledgeofgames，etcetera。
　　2。Bythemagicofthenewandnoblerinfluencesthesterilespacesweretransformedintowoodedparks，themerryelectriccarreplacedthemelancholy'bus，smoothconcretethetempestuousplanksidewalk，themacadamisedroadtheprimitivecorduroy，etcetera。
　　3。Itspleasantsuburbsgone，therewaslittlelefttoadmiresavethewreckedgraveyardwithitsuncannyexposures。
　　TheAnnexcontainsonesoleandsolitaryhumorousremark。ThereisamostelaborateandvoluminousIndex，anditisprecededbythisnote：
　　'ThisIndexwillenablethestudenttofindanythoughtorideacontainedinthebook。'
　　V
　　Noonedoubts——certainlynotI——thatthemindexercisesapowerfulinfluenceoverthebody。Fromthebeginningoftime，thesorcerer，theinterpreterofdreams，thefortune-teller，thecharlatan，thequack，thewildmedicine-man，theeducatedphysician，themesmerist，andthehypnotisthavemadeuseoftheclient'simaginationtohelpthemintheirwork。Theyhaveallrecognisedthepotencyandavailabilityofthatforce。Physicianscuremanypatientswithabreadpill；theyknowthatwherethediseaseisonlyafancy，thepatient'sconfidenceinthedoctorwillmakethebreadpilleffective。
　　Faithinthedoctor。Perhapsthatistheentirething。Itseemstolooklikeit。InoldtimestheKingcuredtheking'sevilbythetouchoftheroyalhand。Hefrequentlymadeextraordinarycures。Couldhisfootmanhavedoneit？No——notinhisownclothes。DisguisedastheKing，couldhehavedoneit？Ithinkwemaynotdoubtit。IthinkwemayfeelsurethatitwasnottheKing'stouchthatmadethecureinanyinstance，butthepatient'sfaithintheefficacyofaKing'stouch。Genuineandremarkablecureshavebeenachievedthroughcontactwiththerelicsofasaint。Isitnotlikelythatanyotherboneswouldhavedoneaswellifthesubstitutionhadbeenconcealedfromthepatient？WhenIwasaboy，afarmer'swifewholivedfivemilesfromourvillage，hadgreatfameasafaith-doctor——thatwaswhatshecalledherself。Suffererscametoherfromallaround，andshelaidherhanduponthemandsaid，'Havefaith——
　　itisallthatisnecessary，'andtheywentawaywelloftheirailments。
　　Shewasnotareligiouswoman，andpretendedtonooccultpowers。Shesaidthatthepatient'sfaithinherdidthework。SeveraltimesIsawhermakeimmediatecuresofseveretoothaches。Mymotherwasthepatient。InAustriathereisapeasantwhodrivesagreattradeinthissortofindustryandhasboththehighandthelowforpatients。Hegetsintoprisoneverynowandthenforpractisingwithoutadiploma，buthisbusinessisasbriskaseverwhenhegetsout，forhisworkisunquestionablysuccessfulandkeepshisreputationhigh。InBavariathereisamanwhoperformedsomanygreatcuresthathehadtoretirefromhisprofessionofstage-carpenteringinordertomeetthedemandofhisconstantlyincreasingbodyofcustomers。Hegoesonfromyeartoyeardoinghismiracles，andhasbecomeveryrich。Hepretendstonoreligioushelps，nosupernaturalaids，butthinksthereissomethinginhismake-upwhichinspirestheconfidenceofhispatients，andthatitisthisconfidencewhichdoestheworkandnotsomemysteriouspowerissuingfromhimself。
　　Withinthelastquarterofacentury，inAmerica，severalsectsofcurershaveappearedundervariousnamesandhavedonenotablethingsinthewayofhealingailmentswithouttheuseofmedicines。TherearetheMindCure，theFaithCure，thePrayerCure，theMental-ScienceCure，andtheChristian-ScienceCure；andapparentlytheyalldotheirmiracleswiththesameoldpowerfulinstrument——thepatient'simagination。Differingnames，butnodifferenceintheprocess。Buttheydonotgivethatinstrumentthecredit；eachsectclaimsthatitswaydiffersfromthewaysoftheothers。
　　Theyallachievesomecures，thereisnoquestionaboutit；andtheFaithCureandthePrayerCureprobablydonoharmwhentheydonogood，sincetheydonotforbidthepatienttohelpoutthecurewithmedicinesifhewantsto；buttheothersbarmedicines，andclaimabilitytocureeveryconceivablehumanailmentthroughtheapplicationoftheirmentalforcesalone。Theyclaimabilitytocuremalignantcancer，andotheraffectionswhichhaveneverbeencuredinthehistoryoftherace。Therewouldseemtobeanelementofdangerhere。Ithasthelookofclaimingtoomuch，I
　　think。Publicconfidencewouldprobablybeincreasediflesswereclaimed。
　　Ibelieveitmightbeshownthatallthe'mind'sectsexceptChristianSciencehavelucidintervals；intervalsinwhichtheybetraysomediffidence，andineffectconfessthattheyarenottheequalsoftheDeity；butiftheChristianScientistevenstopswithbeingmerelytheequaloftheDeity，itisnotclearlyprovablebyhisChristian-ScienceAmendedBible。IntheusualBibletheDeityrecognisespain，disease，anddeathasfacts，buttheChristianScientistknowsbetter。Knowsbetter，andisnotdiffidentaboutsayingso。
　　TheChristianScientistwasnotabletocuremystomach-acheandmycold；
　　butthehorse-doctordidit。ThisconvincesmethatChristianScienceclaimstoomuch。Inmyopinionitoughttoletdiseasesaloneandconfineitselftosurgery。Thereitwouldhaveeverythingitsownway。
　　Thehorse-doctorchargedmethirtykreutzers，andIpaidhim；infactI
　　doubleditandgavehimashilling。Mrs。Fullerbroughtinanitemisedbillforacrateofbrokenbonesmendedintwohundredandthirty-fourplaces——onedollarperfracture。
　　'NothingexistsbutMind？'
　　'Nothing，'sheanswered。'Allelseissubstanceless，allelseisimaginary。'
　　Igaveheranimaginarycheque，andnowsheissuingmeforsubstantialdollars。Itlooksinconsistent。
　　VI
　　Letusconsiderthatweareallpartiallyinsane。Itwillexplainustoeachother，itwillunriddlemanyriddles，itwillmakeclearandsimplemanythingswhichareinvolvedinhauntingandharassingdifficultiesandobscuritiesnow。
　　Thoseofuswhoarenotintheasylum，andnotdemonstrablyduethere，areneverthelessnodoubtinsaneinoneortwoparticulars——Ithinkwemustadmitthis；butIthinkthatweareotherwisehealthy-minded。I
　　thinkthatwhenweallseeonethingalike，itisevidencethatasregardsthatonething，ourmindsareperfectlysound。Nowtherearereallyseveralthingswhichwedoallseealike；thingswhichweallaccept，andaboutwhichwedonotdispute。Forinstance，wewhoareoutsideoftheasylumallagreethatwaterseeksitslevel；thatthesungiveslightandheat；thatfireconsumes；thatfogisdamp；that6times6arethirty-six；that2from10leaveeight；that8and7arefifteen。
　　Theseareperhapstheonlythingsweareagreedabout；butalthoughtheyaresofew，theyareofinestimablevalue，becausetheymakeaninfalliblestandardofsanity。Whosoeveracceptsthemweknowtobesubstantiallysane；sufficientlysane；intheworkingessentials，sane。
　　Whoeverdisputesasingleoneofthemweknowtobewhollyinsane，andqualifiedfortheasylum。
　　Verywell，themanwhodisputesnoneofthemweconcedetobeentitledtogoatlarge——butthatisconcessionenough；wecannotgoanyfurtherthanthat；forweknowthatinallmattersofmereopinionthatsamemanisinsane——justasinsaneasweare；justasinsaneasShakespearewas，justasinsaneasthePopeis。Weknowexactlywheretoputourfingeruponhisinsanity；itiswherehisopiniondiffersfromours。
　　Thatisasimplerule，andeasytoremember。WhenI，athoughtfulandunbiasedPresbyterian，examinetheKoran，IknowthatbeyondanyquestioneveryMohammedanisinsane；notinallthings，butinreligiousmatters。
　　WhenathoughtfulandunbiasedMohammedanexaminestheWestminsterCatechism，heknowsthatbeyondanyquestionIamspirituallyinsane。I
　　cannotprovetohimthatheisinsane，becauseyounevercanproveanythingtoalunatic——forthatisapartofhisinsanityandtheevidenceofit。HecannotprovetomethatIaminsane，formymindhasthesamedefectthatafflictshis。Alldemocratsareinsane，butnotoneofthemknowsit；nonebuttherepublicansandmugwumpsknowit。Alltherepublicansareinsane，butonlythedemocratsandmugwumpscanperceiveit。Theruleisperfect；inallmattersofopinionouradversariesareinsane。WhenIlookaroundmeIamoftentroubledtoseehowmanypeoplearemad。Tomentiononlyafew：
　　TheAtheist，TheShakers，TheInfidel，TheMillerites，TheAgnostic，TheMormons，TheBaptist，TheLaurenceOliphantTheMethodist，Harrisites，TheCatholic，andtheotherTheGrandLama'speople，115Christiansects，theTheMonarchists，Presbyterianexcepted，TheImperialists，The72Mohammedansects，TheDemocrats，TheBuddhist，TheRepublicansbutnotTheBlavatsky-Buddhist，theMugwumps，TheNationalist，TheMind-Curists，TheConfucian，TheFaith-Curists，TheSpiritualist，TheMentalScientists，The2，000EastIndianTheAllopaths，sects，TheHomeopaths，ThePeculiarPeople，TheElectropaths，TheSwedenborgians，The——butthere'snoendtothelist；therearemillionsofthem！Andallinsane；eachinhisownway；insaneastohispetfadoropinion，butotherwisesaneandrational。
　　Thisshouldmoveustobecharitabletowardoneanother'slunacies。I
　　recognisethatinhisspecialbelieftheChristianScientistisinsane，becausehedoesnotbelieveasIdo；butIhailhimasmymateandfellowbecauseIamasinsaneashe——insanefromhispointofview，andhispointofviewisasauthoritativeasmineandworthasmuch。Thatistosay，worthabrassfarthing。Uponagreatreligiousorpoliticalquestiontheopinionofthedullestheadintheworldisworththesameastheopinionofthebrightestheadintheworld——abrassfarthing。Howdowearriveatthis？Itissimple：Theaffirmativeopinionofastupidmanisneutralisedbythenegativeopinionofhisstupidneighbour——nodecisionisreached；theaffirmativeopinionoftheintellectualgiantGladstoneisneutralisedbythenegativeopinionoftheintellectualgiantCardinalNewman——nodecisionisreached。Opinionsthatprovenothingare，ofcourse，withoutvalue——anybutadeadpersonknowsthatmuch。Thisobligesustoadmitthetruthoftheunpalatablepropositionjustmentionedabove——thatindisputedmatterspoliticalandreligiousoneman'sopinionisworthnomorethanhispeer's，andhenceitfollowsthatnoman'sopinionpossessesanyrealvalue。Itisahumblingthought，butthereisnowaytogetaroundit：allopinionsuponthesegreatsubjectsarebrass-farthingopinions。
　　Itisamereplainsimplefact——asclearandascertainasthat8and7
　　makefifteen。Andbyitwerecognisethatweareallinsane，asconcernsthosematters。Ifweweresaneweshouldallseeapoliticalorreligiousdoctrinealike，therewouldbenodispute：itwouldbeacaseof8and7——justasitisinheaven，whereallaresaneandnoneinsane。
　　Therethereisbutonereligion，onebelief，theharmonyisperfect，thereisneveradiscordantnote。
　　UnderprotectionofthesepreliminariesIsupposeImaynowrepeatwithoutoffencethattheChristianScientistisinsane。Imeanhimnodiscourtesy，andIamnotcharging——norevenimagining——thatheisinsanerthantherestofthehumanrace。Ithinkheismorepicturesquelyinsanethatsomeofus。Atthesametime，Iamquitesurethatinoneimportantandsplendidparticularheissanerthanisthevastbulkoftherace。
　　Whyisheinsane？Itoldyoubefore：itisbecausehisopinionsarenotours。Iknowofnootherreason，andIdonotneedanyother；itistheonlywaywehaveofdiscoveringinsanitywhenitisnotviolent。Itismerelythepicturesquenessofhisinsanitythatmakesitmoreinterestingthanmykindoryours。Forinstance，considerhis'littlebook'——theonedescribedinthepreviousarticle；the'littlebook'exposedintheskyeighteencenturiesagobytheflamingangeloftheApocalypseandhandeddowninourdaytoMrs。MaryBakerG。EddyofNewHampshireandtranslatedbyher，wordforword，intoEnglishwithhelpofapolisher，andnowpublishedanddistributedinhundredsofeditionsbyherataclearprofitpervolume，abovecost，of700percent。！——aprofitwhichdistinctlybelongstotheangeloftheApocalypse，andlethimcollectitifhecan；a'littlebook'whichtheC。S。veryfrequentlycallsbyjustthatname，andalwaysinclosedinquotation-markstokeepitshighoriginexultantlyinmind；a'littlebook'which'explains'andreconstructsandnew-paintsanddecoratestheBibleandputsamansardroofonitandalightning-rodandalltheothermodernimprovements；alittlebookwhichforthepresentaffectstotravelinyokewiththeBibleandbefriendlytoit，andwithinhalfacenturywillhitchitintherear，andthenceforthtraveltandem，itselfinthelead，inthecominggreatmarchofChristianScientismthroughtheProtestantdominionsoftheplanet。
　　PerhapsIamputtingthetandemarrangementtoofaraway；perhapsfiveyearsmightbenearerthemarkthanfifty；foraVienneseladytoldmelastnightthatintheChristianScienceMosqueinBostonshenoticedsomethingswhichseemtometopromiseashorteningoftheinterval；ononesidetherewasadisplayoftextsfromtheNewTestament，signedwiththeSaviour'sinitials，'J。C。；'andontheoppositesideadisplayoftextsfromthe'littlebook'signed——withtheauthor'smereinitials？
　　No——signedwithMrs。MaryBakerG。Eddy'snameinfull。PerhapstheAngeloftheApocalypselikesthiskindofpiracy。ImadethisremarklightlytoaChristianScientistthismorning，buthedidnotreceiveitlightly，butsaiditwasjestinguponholythings；hesaidtherewasnopiracy，fortheangeldidnotcomposethebook，heonlybroughtit——'Godcomposedit。'Icouldhaveretortedthatitwasacaseofpiracyjustthesame；thatthedisplayedtextsshouldbesignedwiththeAuthor'sinitials，andthattosignthemwiththetranslator'strainofnameswasanothercaseof'jestinguponholythings。'However，Ididnotsaythesethings，forthisScientistwasalargeperson，andalthoughbyhisowndoctrinewehavenosubstance，butarefictionsandunrealities，Iknewhecouldhitmeanimaginaryblowwhichwouldfurnishmeanimaginarypainwhichcouldlastmeaweek。TheladysaidthatinthatMosquethereweretwopulpits；inoneofthemwasamanwiththeFormerBible，intheotherawomanwithMrs。Eddy'sapocalypticAnnex；andfromthesebooksthemanandthewomanwerereadingverseandverseabout：
　　'HungryonesthrongtoheartheBiblereadinconnectionwiththetext-bookofChristianScience，"ScienceandHealth，withKeytotheScriptures，"byMaryBakerG。Eddy。Theseareouronlypreachers。
　　TheyarethewordofGod。'——ChristianScienceJournal，October1898。
　　Arethesethingspicturesque？TheVienneseladytoldmethatinachapeloftheMosquetherewasapictureorimageofMrs。Eddy，andthatbeforeitburnsanever-extinguishedlight。Isthatpicturesque？HowlongdoyouthinkitwillbebeforetheChristianScientistwillbeworshippingthatimageandprayingtoit？HowlongdoyouthinkitwillbebeforeitisclaimedthatMrs。EddyisaRedeemer，aChrist，orChrist'sequal？
　　Alreadyherarmyofdisciplesspeakofherreverentlyas'OurMother。'
　　HowlongwillitbebeforetheyplaceheronthestepsoftheThronebesidetheVirgin——andlaterastephigher？First，MarytheVirginandMarytheMatron；later，withachangeofPrecedence，MarytheMatronandMarytheVirgin。Lettheartistgetreadywithhiscanvasandhisbrushes；thenewRenaissanceisonitsway，andtherewillbemoneyinaltar-canvases——athousandtimesasmuchasthePopesandtheirChurcheverspentontheOldMasters；fortheirricheswereaspovertyascomparedwithwhatisgoingtopourintothetreasure-chestoftheChristian-ScientistPapacyby-and-by，letusnotdoubtit。Wewillexaminethefinancialoutlookpresentlyandseewhatitpromises。A
　　favouritesubjectofthenewOldMasterwillbethefirstverseofthetwelfthchapterofRevelation——aversewhichMrs。EddysaysinherAnnextotheScriptureshas'onedistinctivefeaturewhichhasspecialreferencetothepresentage'——andtoher，asisratherpointedlyindicated：
　　'Andthereappearedagreatwonderinheaven——awomanclothedwiththesunandthemoonunderherfeet，'etc。
　　ThewomanclothedwiththesunwillbeaportraitofMrs。Eddy。
　　IsitinsanitytobelievethatChristianScientismisdestinedtomakethemostformidableshowthatanynewreligionhasmadeintheworldsincethebirthandspreadofMohammedanism，andthatwithinacenturyfromnowitmaystandsecondtoRomeonly，innumbersandpowerinChristendom？
　　Ifthisisawilddreamitwillnotbeeasytoproveitissojustyet，I
　　think。Thereseemsargumentthatitmaycometrue。TheChristian-Science'boom'isnotyetfiveyearsold；yetalreadyithas500churchesand1，000，000membersinAmerica。
　　Ithasitsstart，yousee，anditisaphenomenallygoodone。Moreover，itislatterlyspreadingwithaconstantlyacceleratingswiftness。Ithasabetterchancetogrowandprosperandachievepermanencythananyotherexisting'ism；'forithasmoretoofferthananyother。Thepastteachesusthat，inordertosucceed，amovementlikethismustnotbeamerephilosophy，itmustbeareligion；also，thatitmustnotclaimentireoriginality，butcontentitselfwithpassingforanimprovementonanexistingreligion，andshowitshandlater，whenstrongandprosperous——likeMohammedanism。
　　Next，theremustbemoney——andplentyofit。
　　Next，thepowerandauthorityandcapitalmustbeconcentratedinthegripofasmallandirresponsibleclique，withnobodyoutsideprivilegedtoaskquestionsorfindfault。
　　Next，asbeforeremarked，itmustbaititshookwithsomenewandattractiveadvantagesoverthebaitsofferedbytheotherreligions。
　　Anewmovementequippedwithsomeoftheseendowments——likespiritualism，forinstance——maycountuponaconsiderablesuccess；anewmovementequippedwiththebulkofthem——likeMohammedanism，forinstance——maycountuponawidelyextendedconquest。Mormonismhadalltherequisitesbutone——ithadnothingnewandnothingvaluabletobaitwith；and，besides，itappealedtothestupidandtheignorantonly。Spiritualismlackedtheimportantdetailofconcentrationofmoneyandauthorityinthehandsofanirresponsibleclique。
　　Theaboveequipmentisexcellent，admirable，powerful，butnotperfect。
　　Thereisyetanotherdetailwhichisworththewholeofitputtogether——
　　andmore；adetailwhichhasneverbeenjoinedinthebeginningofareligiousmovementtoasupremelygoodworkingequipmentsincetheworldbegan，untilnow：anewpersonagetoworship。ChristianityhadtheSaviour，butatfirstandforgenerationsitlackedmoneyandconcentratedpower。InMrs。Eddy，ChristianSciencepossessesthenewpersonageforworship，andinaddition——hereintheverybeginning——aworkingequipmentthathasnotaflawinit。Inthebeginning，Mohammedanismhadnomoney；andithasneverhadanythingtoofferitsclientbutheaven——nothingherebelowthatwasvaluable。Inadditiontoheavenhereafter，ChristianSciencehaspresenthealthandacheerfulspirittooffer——forcash——andincomparisonwiththisbribeallotherthis-worldbribesarepoorandcheap。Yourecognisethatthisestimateisadmissible，doyounot？
　　TowhomdoesBellamy's'Nationalism'appeal？Necessarilytothefew：
　　peoplewhoreadanddream，andarecompassionate，andtroubledforthepoorandthehard-driven。TowhomdoesSpiritualismappeal？Necessarilytothefew；its'boom'haslastedforhalfacenturyandIbelieveitclaimsshortoffourmillionsofadherentsinAmerica。WhoareattractedbySwedenborgianismandsomeoftheotherfineanddelicate'isms？'Thefewagain：Educatedpeople，sensitivelyorganised，withsuperiormentalendowments，whoseekloftyplanesofthoughtandfindtheircontentmentthere。AndwhoareattractedbyChristianScience？Thereisnolimit；
　　itsfieldishorizonless；itsappealisasuniversalasistheappealofChristianityitself。Itappealstotherich，thepoor，thehigh，thelow，thecultured，theignorant，thegifted，thestupid，themodest，thevain，thewise，thesilly，thesoldier，thecivilian，thehero，thecoward，theidler，theworker，thegodly，thegodless，thefreeman，theslave，theadult，thechild；theywhoareailing，theywhohavefriendsthatareailing。Tomassitinaphrase，itsclienteleistheHumanRace？Willitmarch？Ithinkso。
　　VII
　　Rememberitsprincipalgreatoffer：toridtheRaceofpainanddisease。
　　Canitdoit？Inlargemeasure，yes。Howmuchofthepainanddiseaseintheworldiscreatedbytheimaginationsofthesufferers，andthenkeptalivebythosesameimaginations？Four-fifths？NotanythingshortofthatIshouldthink。CanChristianSciencebanishthatfour-fifths？
　　Ithinkso。Cananyotherorganisedforcedoit？NonethatIknowof。
　　Wouldthisbeanewworldwhenthatwasaccomplished？Andapleasanterone——foruswellpeople，aswellasforthosefussyandfrettingsickones？Woulditseemasiftherewasnotasmuchgloomyweatherasthereusedtobe？Ithinkso。
　　InthemeantimewouldtheScientistkilloffagoodmanypatients？I
　　thinkso。Morethangetkilledoffnowbythelegalisedmethods？Iwilltakeupthatquestionpresently。
　　AtpresentIwishtoaskyoutoexaminesomeoftheScientist'sperformances，asregisteredinhismagazine，'TheChristianScienceJournal'——Octobernumber，1898。First，aBaptistclergymangivesusthistruepictureof'theaverageorthodoxChristian'——andhecouldhaveaddedthatitisatruepictureoftheaveragecivilisedhumanbeing：
　　'Heisaworriedandfrettedandfearfulman；afraidofhimselfandhispropensities，afraidofcoldsandfevers，afraidoftreadingonserpentsordrinkingdeadlythings。'
　　Thenhegivesusthiscontrast：
　　'TheaverageChristianScientisthasputallanxietyandfrettingunderhisfeet。HedoeshaveavictoryoverfearandcarethatisnotachievedbytheaverageorthodoxChristian。'
　　Hehasputallanxietyandfrettingunderhisfeet。Whatproportionofyourearningsorincomewouldyoubewillingtopayforthatframeofmind，yearinyearout？Itreallyoutvaluesanypricethatcanbeputuponit。Wherecanyoupurchaseit，atanyoutlayofanysort，inanyChurchoroutofit，excepttheScientist's？
　　Well，itistheanxietyandfrettingaboutcolds，andfevers，anddraughts，andgettingourfeetwet，andaboutforbiddenfoodeateninterrorofindigestion，thatbringsonthecoldandthefeverandtheindigestionandthemostofourotherailments；andso，iftheSciencecanbanishthatanxietyfromtheworldIthinkitcanreducetheworld'sdiseaseandpainaboutfour-fifths。
　　InthisOctobernumbermanyoftheredeemedtestifyandgivethanks；andnotcoldlybutwithpassionategratitude。Asaruletheyseemdrunkwithhealth，andwiththesurpriseofit，thewonderofit，theunspeakablegloryandsplendourofit，afteralongsoberspellspentininventingimaginarydiseasesandconcretingthemwithdoctor-stuff。Thefirstwitnesstestifiesthatwhen'thismostbeautifulTruthfirstdawnedonhim'hehad'nearlyalltheillsthatfleshisheirto；'thatthosehedidnothavehethoughthehad——andthusmadethetaleaboutcomplete。
　　Whatwasthenaturalresult？Why，hewasadump-pit'forallthedoctors，druggists，andpatentmedicinesofthecountry。'ChristianSciencecametohishelp，and'theoldsickconditionspassedaway，'andalongwiththemthe'dismalforebodings'whichhehadbeenaccustomedtoemployinconjuringupailments。Andsohewasahealthyandcheerfulman，now，andastonished。
　　ButIamnotastonished，forfromothersourcesIknowwhatmusthavebeenhismethodofapplyingChristianScience。IfIamintheright，hewatchfullyanddiligentlydivertedhismindfromunhealthychannelsandcompelledittotravelinhealthyones。Nothingcontrivablebyhumaninventioncouldbemoreformidablyeffectivethanthat，inbanishingimaginaryailmentsandinclosingtheentrancesagainstsubsequentapplicantsoftheirbreed。Ithinkhismethodwastokeepsaying，'Iamwell！Iamsound！——soundandwell！wellandsound！Perfectlysound，perfectlywell！Ihavenopain；there'snosuchthingaspain！Ihavenodisease；there'snosuchthingasdisease！NothingisrealbutMind；allisMind，All-Good，Good-Good，Life，Soul，Liver，Bones，oneofaseries，anteandpassthebuck！'
　　Idonotmeanthatthatwasexactlytheformulaused，butthatitdoubtlesscontainsthespiritofit。TheScientistwouldattachvaluetotheexactformula，nodoubt，andtothereligiousspiritinwhichitwasused。Ishouldthinkthatanyformulathatwoulddivertthemindfromunwholesomechannelsandforceitintohealthyoneswouldanswereverypurposewithsomepeople，thoughnotwithall。Ithinkitmostlikelythataveryreligiousmanwouldfindtheadditionofthereligiousspiritapowerfulreinforcementinhiscase。
　　ThesecondwitnesstestifiesthattheSciencebanished'anoldorganictrouble'whichthedoctorandthesurgeonhadbeennursingwithdrugsandtheknifeforsevenyears。
　　Hecallsithis'claim。'Asurface-minerwouldthinkitwasnothisclaimatall，butthepropertyofthedoctorandhispalthesurgeon——forhewouldbemisledbythatword，whichisChristian-Scienceslangfor'ailment。'TheChristianScientisthasnoailment；tohimthereisnosuchthing，andhewillnotusethelyingword。Allthathappenstohimis，thatuponhisattentionanimaginarydisturbancesometimesobtrudesitselfwhichclaimstobeanailment，butisn't。
　　ThiswitnessofferstestimonyforaclergymanseventyyearsoldwhohadpreachedfortyyearsinaChristianchurch，andhasnotgoneovertothenewsect。Hewas'almostblindanddeaf。'HewastreatedbytheC。S。
　　method，and'whenheheardthevoiceofTruthhesawspiritually。'Sawspiritually。Itisalittleindefinite；theyhadbettertreathimagain。
　　Indefinitetestimoniesmightproperlybewaste-basketed，sincethereisevidentlynolackofdefiniteonesprocurable，butthisC。S。magazineispoorlyedited，andsomistakesofthiskindmustbeexpected。
　　ThenextwitnessisasoldieroftheCivilWar。WhenChristianSciencefoundhim，hehadinstockthefollowingclaims：
　　Indigestion，Rheumatism，Catarrh，ChalkydepositsinShoulderjoints，Armjoints，Handjoints，AtrophyofthemusclesofArms，Shoulders，Stiffnessofallthosejoints，Insomnia，Excruciatingpainsmostofthetime。
　　Theseclaimshaveaverysubstantialsound。Theycameofexposureinthecampaigns。Thedoctorsdidalltheycould，butitwaslittle。Prayersweretried，but'Ineverrealisedanyphysicalrelieffromthatsource。'
　　AfterthirtyyearsoftorturehewenttoaChristianScientistandtookanhour'streatmentandwenthomepainless。Twodayslaterhe'begantoeatlikeawellman。'Then'theclaimsvanished——someatonce，othersmoregradually；'finally，'theyhavealmostentirelydisappeared。'And——
　　athingwhichisofstillgreatervalue——heisnow'contentedandhappy。'
　　Thatisadetailwhich，asearlierremarked，isaScientist-Churchspecialty。Withthirty-oneyears'efforttheMethodistChurchhadnotsucceededinfurnishingittothisharassedsoldier。
　　Andsothetalegoeson。Witnessafterwitnessbulletinshisclaims，declarestheirpromptabolishment，andgivesMrs。Eddy'sDiscoverythepraise。Milk-legiscured；nervousprostrationiscured；consumptioniscured；andSt。Vitus'sdancemadeapastime。AndnowandthenaninterestingnewadditiontotheScienceslangappearsonthepage。Wehave'demonstrationsover'chilblainsandsuchthings。Itseemstobeacurtailedwayofsaying'demonstrationsofthepowerofChristian-ScienceTruthoverthefictionwhichmasqueradesunderthenameofChilblains。'
　　Thechildrenaswellastheadults，shareintheblessingsoftheScience。'Throughthestudyofthe"littlebook"theyarelearninghowtobehealthful，peaceful，andwise。'Sometimestheyarecuredoftheirlittleclaimsbytheprofessionalhealer，andsometimesmoreadvancedchildrensayovertheformulaandcurethemselves。
　　AlittleFar-Westerngirlofnine，equippedwithanadultvocabulary，statesherageandsays，'IthoughtIwouldwriteademonstrationtoyou。'Shehadaclaimderivedfromgettingflungoverapony'sheadandlandedonarock-pile。Shesavedherselffromdisasterbyremembertosay'GodisAll'whileshewasintheair。Icouldn'thavedoneit。I
　　shouldn'thaveeventhoughtofit。Ishouldhavebeentooexcited。
　　NothingbutChristianSciencecouldhaveenabledthatchildtodothatcalmandthoughtfulandjudiciousthinginthosecircumstances。Shecamedownonherhead，andbyalltherulessheshouldhavebrokenit；buttheinterventionoftheformulapreventedthat，sotheonlyclaimresultingwasablackenedeye。Mondaymorningitwasstillswollenandshut。Atschool'ithurtprettybad——thatis，itseemedto。'So'Iwasexcused，andwentdowninthebasementandsaid，"NowIamdependingonmammainsteadofGod，andIwilldependonGodinsteadofmamma。"'Nodoubtthiswouldhaveanswered；but，tomakesure，sheaddedMrs。Eddytotheteamandrecited'theScientificStatementofBeing，'whichisoneoftheprincipalincantations，Ijudge。Then'Ifeltmyeyeopening。'Why，itwouldhaveopenedanoyster。Ithinkitisoneofthetouchingestthingsinchild-history，thatpiouslittleratdowncellarpumpingawayattheScientificStatementofBeing。
　　Thereisapageaboutanothergoodchild——littleGordon。LittleGordon'cameintotheworldwithouttheassistanceofsurgeryoranaesthetics。'
　　Hewasa'demonstration。'Apainlessone；thereforehiscomingevoked'joyandthankfulnesstoGodandtheDiscovererofChristianScience。'
　　Itisanoticeablefeatureofthisliterature——thesofrequentlinkingtogetheroftheTwoBeingsinanequalbond；alsoofTheirTwoBibles。
　　WhenlittleGordonwastwoyearsold，'hewasplayinghorseonthebed，whereIhadleftmy"littlebook。"Inoticedhimstopinhisplay，takethebookcarefullyinhislittlehands，kissitsoftly，thenlookaboutforthehighestplaceofsafetyhisarmscouldreach，andputitthere。'
　　Thispiousactfilledthemother'withsuchatrainofthoughtasIhadneverexperiencedbefore。Ithoughtofthesweetmotheroflongagowhokeptthingsinherheart，'etc。Itisaboldcomparison；however，unconsciousprofanationsareaboutascommoninthemouthsofthelaymembershipofthenewChurchasarefrankandopenonesinthemouthsofitsconsecratedchiefs。
　　Somedayslater，thefamilylibrary——ChristianSciencebooks——waslyinginadeep-seatedwindow。Itwasanotherchancefortheholychildtoshowoff。HelefthisplayandwentthereandpushedallthebookstoonesideexcepttheAnnex。'Ithetookinbothhands，slowlyraisedittohislips，thenremoveditcarefully，andseatedhimselfinthewindow。'Ithadseemedtothemothertoowonderfultobetrue，thatfirsttime；butnowshewasconvincedthat'neitherimaginationnoraccidenthadanythingtodowithit。'Later，littleGordonlettheauthorofhisbeingseehimdoit。Afterthathediditfrequently；
　　probablyeverytimeanybodywaslooking。Iwouldratherhavethatchildthanachromo。Ifthistalehasanyobject，itistointimatethattheinspiredbookwassupernaturallyabletoconveyasenseofitssacredandawfulcharactertothisinnocentlittlecreaturewithouttheinterventionofoutsideaids。Themagazineisnoteditedwithhigh-priceddiscretion。
　　Theeditorhasaclaim，andheoughttogetittreated。
　　Amongotherwitnesses，thereisonewhohada'jumpingtoothache，'whichseveraltimestemptedherto'believethattherewassensationinmatter，buteachtimeitwasovercomebythepowerofTruth。'Shewouldnotallowthedentisttousecocaine，butsatthereandlethimpunchanddrillandsplitandcrushthetool，andtearandslashitsulcerations，andpulloutthenerve，anddigoutfragmentsofbone；andshewouldn'tonceconfessthatithurt。Andtothisdayshethinksitdidn't，andI
　　havenotadoubtthatsheisnine-tenthsright，andthatherChristianSciencefaithdidherbetterservicethanshecouldhavegottenoutofcocaine。
　　Thereisanaccountofaboywhogotbrokenallupintosmallbitsbyanaccident，butsaidovertheScientificStatementofBeing，orsomeoftheotherincantations，andgotwellandsoundwithouthavingsufferedanyrealpainandwithouttheintrusionofasurgeon。Icanbelievethis，becausemyowncasewassomewhatsimilar，aspermyformerarticle。
　　Alsothereisanaccountoftherestorationtoperfecthealth，inasinglenight，ofafatallyinjuredhorse，bytheapplicationofChristianScience。Icanstandagooddeal，butIrecognisethattheiceisgettingthinhere。Thathorsehadasmanyasfiftyclaims：howcouldhedemonstrateoverthem？CouldhedotheAll-Good，Good-Good，Good-Gracious，Liver，Bones，Truth，AlldownbutNine，SetthemupontheOtherAlley？CouldheintonetheScientificStatementofBeing？Now，couldhe？Wouldn'titgivehimarelapse？Letusdrawthelineathorses。Horsesandfurniture。
　　Thereisaplentyofothertestimoniesinthemagazine，butthesequotedsampleswillanswer。TheyshowthekindoftradetheScienceisdriving。
　　Nowwecomebacktothequestion；Doesitkillapatienthereandthereandnowandthen？Wemustconcedeit。Doesitcompensateforthis？I
　　ampersuadedthatitcanmakeaplausibleshowinginthatdirection。Forinstance：whenitlaysitshandsuponasoldierwhohassufferedthirtyyearsofhelplesstortureandmakeshimwholeinbodyandmind，whatistheactualsumofthatachievement？This，Ithink：thatithasrestoredtolifeasubjectwhohadessentiallydiedtendeathsayearforthirtyyears，andeachofthemalongandpainfulone。Butforitsinterferencethatmanwouldhaveessentiallydiedthirtytimesmore，inthethreeyearswhichhavesinceelapsed。Therearethousandofyoungpeopleinthelandwhoarenowreadytoenteruponalife-longdeathsimilartothatman's。EverytimetheSciencecapturesoneoftheseandsecurestohimlife-longimmunityfromimagination-manufactureddisease，itmayplausiblyclaimthatinhispersonithassaved300lives。Meantimeitwillkillamaneverynowandthen；butnomatter，itwillstillbeaheadonthecreditside。
　　VIII
　　'Weconsciouslydeclarethat"ScienceandHealthwithKeytotheScriptures，"wasforetoldaswellasitsauthor，MaryBakerEddy，inRevelationx。Sheisthe"mightyangel，"orGod'shighestthoughttothisageverse1，givingusthespiritualinterpretationoftheBibleinthe"littlebookopen"verse2。ThusweprovethatChristianScienceisthesecondcomingofChrist——Truth——Spirit。'——
　　LecturebyDr。GeorgeTomkins，D。D。，C。S。
　　Thereyouhaveitinplainspeech。Sheisthemightyangel；sheisthedivinelyandofficiallysentbearerofGod'shighestthought。Forthepresent，shebringstheSecondAdvent。WemustexpectthatbeforeshehasbeeninhergravefiftyyearsshewillberegardedbyherfollowingashavingbeenherselftheSecondAdvent。Sheisalreadyworshipped，andwemustexpectthisfeelingtospreadterritorially，andalsotodeepeninintensity[1]。
　　Particularlyafterherdeath；forthen，asanyonecanforesee，Eddy-worshipwillbetaughtintheSunday-schoolsandpulpitsofthecult。Alreadywhateversheputshertrade-markon，thoughtitbeonlyamemorialspoon，isholyandiseagerlyandpassionatelyandgratefullyboughtbythedisciple，andbecomesafetishinhishouse。Isaybought，fortheBostonChristian-ScienceTrustgivesnothingaway；everythingithasforsale。Andthetermsarecash；andnotcashonlybutcashinadvance。ItsgodisMrs。Eddyfirst，thentheDollar。NotaspiritualDollar，butarealone。FromendtoendoftheChristian-Scienceliteraturenotasinglematerialthingintheworldisconcededtobereal，excepttheDollar。Butallthroughandthroughitsadvertisementsthatrealityiseagerlyandpersistentlyrecognised。ThehungeroftheTrustfortheDollar，itsadorationoftheDollar，itslustaftertheDollar，itsecstasyinthemerethoughtoftheDollar——therehasbeennothinglikeitintheworldinanyageorcountry，nothingsocoarse，nothingsolubricous，nothingsobestial，exceptaFrenchnovel'sattitudetowardsadultery。
　　TheDollarishunteddowninallsortsofways；theChristian-ScienceMother-ChurchandBargain-CounterinBostonpeddlesallkindsofspiritualwarestothefaithful，alwaysatextravagantprices，andalwaysontheonecondition——cash，cashinadvance。TheAngeloftheApocalypsecouldnotgothereandgetacopyofhisownpiratedbookoncredit。
　　Many，manypreciousChristian-Sciencethingsaretobehadthere——forcash：BibleLessons；ChurchManual；C。S。Hymnal；HistoryofthebuildingoftheMother-Church；lotofSermons；CommunionHymn，'SawYeMySaviour，'byMrs。Eddy，halfadollaracopy，'wordsusedbyspecialpermissionofMrs。Eddy。'AlsowehaveMrs。Eddy'sandtheAngel'slittleBible-Annexineightstylesofbindingateightkindsofwar-
　　prices：amongtheseasweetthingin'levant，divinitycircuit，leatherlinedtoedge，roundcorners，goldedge，silksewed，each，prepaid，$6，'
　　andifyoutakeamillionyougetthemashillingcheaper——thatistosay，'prepaid，$5。75。'AlsowehaveMrs。Eddy's'MiscellaneousWritings，'atnoblebigprices，thedivinity-circuitstyleheadingtheextortions，shillingdiscountwhereyoutakeanedition。Nextcomes'ChristandChristmas，'bythefertileMrs。eddy——apoem——IwouldGodI
　　couldseeit——price$3，cashinadvance。ThenfollowfivemorebooksbyMrs。Eddyathighwaymen'srates，asusual，someofthemin'leatherettecovers，'someofthemin'pebbledcloth，'withdivinitycircuit，compensationbalance，twinscrew，andtheothermodernimprovements：andatthesamebargaincountercanbehadthe'ChristianScienceJournal。'
　　Iwishitwereinrefinedtastetoapplyarudelyandruggedlydescriptiveepithettothatliteraryslush-bucket，soastogiveoneanaccurateideaofwhatitislike。Iammovedtodoit，butImustnot：
　　itisbettertoberefinedthanaccuratewhenoneistalkingaboutaproductionlikethat。
　　Christian-ScienceliteraryoleomargarineisamonopolyoftheMotherChurchHeadquartersFactoryinBoston；nonegenuinewithoutthetrade-markoftheTrust。Youmustapplythere，andnotelsewhere；andyoupayyourmoneybeforeyougetyoursoap-fat。
　　TheTrusthasstillothersourcesofincome。Mrs。Eddyispresidentandperhapsproprietor？oftheTrust'sMetaphysicalCollegeinBoston，wherethestudentwhohaspractisedC。S。healingduringthreeyearsthebestheknewhowperfectshimselfinthegamebyatwoweeks'course，andpaysonehundreddollarsforit！AndIhaveacaseamongmystatisticswherethestudenthadathreeweeks'courseandpaidthreehundredforit。
　　TheTrustdoeslovetheDollarwhenitisn'taspiritualone。
　　InordertoforcethesaleofMrs。Eddy'sBible-Annex，nohealer，MetaphysicalCollege-bredorother，isallowedtopractisethegameunlesshepossessacopyofthatholynightmare。ThatmeansalargeandconstantlyaugmentingincomefortheTrust。NoC。S。familywouldconsideritselfloyalorpiousorpain-proofwithoutanAnnexortwointhehouse。ThatmeansanincomefortheTrust——inthenearfuture——ofmillions：notthousands——millionsayear。
　　Nomember，youngorold，ofaChristian-Scientistchurchcanretainthatmembershipunlesshepay'capitationtax'totheBostonTrusteveryyear。
　　ThatmeansanincomefortheTrust——inthenearfuture——ofmillionsmoreperyear。
　　ItisareasonablysafeguessthatinAmericain1910therewillbe10，000，000ChristianScientists，and3，000，000inGreatBritain；thatthesefigureswillbetrebledby1920；thatinAmericain1910theChristianScientistswillbeapoliticalforce，in1920politicallyformidable——toremainthat，permanently。AndIthinkitareasonableguessthattheTrustwhichisalreadyinourdayprettybrusqueinitswayswillthenbethemostinsolentandunscrupulousandtyrannicalpolitico-religiousmasterthathasdominatedapeoplesincethepalmydaysoftheInquisition。Andastrongermasterthanthestrongestofbygonetimes，becausethisonewillhaveafinancialstrengthnotdreamedofbyanypredecessor；aseffectiveaconcentrationofirresponsiblepowerasanypredecessorhad；intherailway，thetelegraph，andthesubsidisednewspaper，betterfacilitiesforwatchingandmanaginghisempirethananypredecessorhashad；andafteragenerationortwohewillprobablydivideChristendomwiththeCatholicChurch。
　　TheRomanChurchhasaperfectorganisation，andithasaneffectivecentralisationofpower——butnotofitscash。ItsmultitudeofBishopsarerich，buttheirrichesremaininlargemeasureintheirownhands。
　　Theycollectfrom200，000，000ofpeople，buttheykeepthebulkoftheresultathome。TheBostonPopeofby-and-bywilldrawhisdollar-a-headcapitation-taxfrom300，000，000ofthehumanrace，andtheAnnexandtherestofhisbook-shopwillfetchindoubleasmuchmore；andhisMetaphysicalColleges，theannualpilgrimagetoMrs。Eddy'stomb，fromallovertheworld——admission，theChristian-ScienceDollarpayableinadvance——purchasesofconsecratedglassbeads，candles，memorialspoons，aureoledchromo-portraitsandbogusautographsofMrs。Eddy，cashofferingsathershrine——nocrutchesofcuredcripplesreceived，andnoimitationsofmiraculouslyrestoredbrokenlegsandnecksallowedtobehungupexceptwhenmadeoutoftheHolyMetalandprovedbyfire-assay；
　　cashformiraclesworkedatthetomb：thesemoney-sources，withathousandtobeyetinventedandambusheduponthedevotee，willbringtheannualincrementwellupaboveabillion。AndnobodybuttheTrustwillhavethehandlingofit。NoBishopsappointedunlesstheyagreetohandin90percent。ofthecatch。InthatdaytheTrustwillmonopolisethemanufactureandsaleoftheOldandNewTestamentsaswellastheAnnex，andraisetheirpricetoAnnexrates，andcompelthedevoteetobuyforevento-dayahealerhastohavetheAnnexandtheScripturesorheisnotallowedtoworkthegame，andthatwillbringseveralhundredmilliondollarsmore。InthosedaystheTrustwillhaveanincomeapproaching$5，000，000aday，andnoexpensestobetakenoutofit；notaxestopay，andnocharitiestosupport。Thatlastdetailshouldnotbelightlypassedoverbytheread；itiswellentitledtoattention。
　　Nocharitiestosupport。No，noreventocontributeto。OnesearchesinvaintheTrust'sadvertisementsandtheutterancesofitspulpitforanysuggestionthatitspendsapennyonorphans，widows，dischargedprisoners，hospitals，raggedschools，nightmissions，citymissions，foreignmissions，libraries，oldpeople'shomes，oranyotherobjectthatappealstoahumanbeing'spursethroughhisheart。[2]
　　Ihavehunted，hunted，andhunted，bycorrespondenceandotherwise，andhavenotyetgotuponthetrackofafarthingthattheTrusthasspentuponanyworthyobject。NothingmakesaScientistsouncomfortableastoaskhimifheknowsofacasewhereChristianSciencehasspentmoneyonabenevolence，eitheramongitsownadherentsorelsewhere。Heisobligedtosayno。Andthenonediscoversthatthepersonquestionedhasbeenaskedthequestionmanytimesbefore，andthatitisgettingtobeasoresubjectwithhim。Whyasoresubject？Becausehehaswrittenhischiefsandaskedwithhighconfidenceforananswerthatwillconfoundthesequestioners——andthechiefsdidnotreply。Hehaswrittenagain——
　　andthenagain——notwithconfidence，buthumbly，now，andhasbeggedfordefensiveammunitioninthevoiceofsupplication。Areplydoesatlastcome——tothiseffect：'WemusthavefaithinOurMother，andrestcontentintheconvictionthatwhateverShe[3]doeswiththemoneyitisinaccordancewithordersfromHeaven，forShedoesnoactofanykindwithoutfirst"demonstratingover"it。'
　　Thatsettlesit——asfarasthediscipleisconcerned。HisMindisentirelysatisfiedwiththatanswer；hegetsdownhisAnnexanddoesanincantationortwo，andthatmesmeriseshisspiritandputsthattosleep——bringsitpeace。Peaceandcomfortandjoy，untilsomeinquirerpuncturestheoldsoreagain。
　　ThroughfriendsinAmericaIaskedsomequestions，andinsomecasesgotdefiniteandinforminganswers；inothercasestheanswerswerenotdefiniteandnotvaluable。FromthedefiniteanswersIgatherthanthe'capitation-tax'iscompulsory，andthatthesumisonedollar。Tothequestion，'Doesanyofthemoneygotocharities？'theanswerfromanauthoritativesourcewas：'No，*notinthesenseusuallyconveyedbythisword*。'Theitalicsaremine。Thatansweriscautious。Butdefinite，Ithink——utterlyandunassailablydefinite——althoughquiteChristian-scientificallyfoggyinitsphrasing。ChristianScienceisgenerallyfoggy，generallydiffuse，generallygarrulous。ThewriterwasawarethatthefirstwordinhisphraseansweredthequestionwhichIwasasking，buthecouldnothelpaddingninedarkwords。Meaninglessones，unlessexplainedbyhim。Itisquitelikely——asintimatedbyhim——thatChristianSciencehasinventedanewclassofobjectstoapplythewordcharityto，butwithoutanexplanationwecannotknowwhattheyare。Wequiteeasilyandnaturallyandconfidentlyguessthattheyareinallcasesobjectswhichwillreturnfivehundredpercent。ontheTrust'sinvestmentinthem，butguessingisnotknowledge；itismerely，inthiscase，asortofnine-tenthscertaintydeduciblefromwhatwethinkweknowoftheTrust'stradeprinciplesanditsslyandfurtiveandshiftyways。
　　Sly？Deep？Judicious？TheTrustunderstandsbusiness。TheTrustdoesnotgiveitselfaway。Itdefeatsalltheattemptsofusimpertinentstogetatitstradesecrets。Tothisday，afterallourdiligence，wehavenotbeenabletogetittoconfesswhatitdoeswiththemoney。Itdoesnotevenletitsowndisciplesfindout。Allitsaysis，thatthematterhasbeen'demonstratedover。'NowandthenalayScientistsays，withagratefulexultation，thatMrs。Eddyisenormouslyrich，buthestopsthere；astowhetheranyofthemoneygoestoothercharitiesornot，heisobligedtoadmitthathedoesnotknow。However，theTrustiscomposedofhumanbeings；andthisjustifiestheconjecturethatifithadacharityonitslistwhichitdidnotneedtoblushfor，weshouldsoonhearofit。
　　'Withoutmoneyandwithoutprice。'Thoseusedtobetheterms。Mrs。
　　Eddy'sAnnexcancelsthem。ThemottoofChristianScienceis'Thelabourerisworthyofhishire。'Andnowthatithasbeen'demonstratedover，'wefinditsspiritualmeaningtobe，'Doanythingandeverythingyourhandmayfindtodo；andchargecashforit，andcollectthemoneyinadvance。'TheScientisthasonhistongue'sendacut-and-dried，Boston-suppliedsetofratherleanargumentswhosefunctionistoshowthatitisaHeaven-commandeddutytodothis，andthatthecroupiersofthegamehavenochoicebytoobey。
　　TheTrustseemstobeareincarnation。Exodusxxxii。4。
　　IhavenoreverenceforMrs。EddyandtherestoftheTrust——ifthereisarest——butIamnotlackinginreverenceforthesinceritiesofthelaymembershipofthenewChurch。Thereiseveryevidencethatthelaymembersareentirelysincereintheirfaith，andIthinksincerityisalwaysentitledtohonourandrespect，lettheinspirationofthesinceritybewhatitmay。Zealandsinceritycancarryanewreligionfurtherthananyothermissionaryexceptfireandsword，andIbelievethatthenewreligionwillconquerthehalfofChristendominahundredyears。Iamnotintendingthisasacomplimenttothehumanrace，Iammerelystatinganopinion。AndyetIthinkthatperhapsitisacomplimenttotherace。Ikeepinmindthatsayingofanorthodoxpreacher——quotedfurtherback。HeconcededthatthisnewChristianityfreesitspossessor'slifefromfrets，fears，vexations，bitterness，andallsortsofimagination-propagatedmaladiesandpains，andfillshisworldwithsunshineandhisheartwithgladness。IfChristianScience，withthisstupendousequipment——andfinalsalvationadded——cannotwinhalftheChristianglobe，Imustbebadlymistakeninthemake-upofthehumanrace。
　　IthinktheTrustwillbehandeddownliketheotherpapacy，andwillalwaysknowhowtohandleitslimitlesscash。Itwillpressthebutton；
　　thezeal，theenergy，thesincerity，theenthusiasmofitscountlessvassalswilldotherest。
　　IX
　　Thepowerwhichaman'simaginationhasoverhisbodytohealitormakeitsickisaforcewhichnoneofusisbornwithout。Thefirstmanhadit，thelastonewillpossessit。Iflefttohimselfamanismostlikelytouseonlythemischievoushalfoftheforce——thehalfwhichinventsimaginaryailmentsforhimandcultivatesthem：andifheisoneoftheseverywisepeopleheisquitelikelytoscoffatthebeneficenthalfoftheforceanddenyitsexistence。Andso，tohealorhelpthatman，twoimaginationsarerequired：hisownandsomeoutsider's。Theoutsider，B，mustimaginethathisincantationsarethehealingpowerthatiscuringA，andAmustimaginethatthisisso。Itisnotso，atall；butnomatter，thecureiseffected，andthatisthemainthing。
　　Theoutsider'sworkisunquestionablyvaluable；sovaluablethatitmayfairlybelikenedtotheessentialworkperformedbytheengineerwhenhehandlesthethrottleandturnsonthesteam：theactualpowerislodgedexclusivelyintheengine，butiftheenginewereleftaloneitwouldneverstartofitself。WhethertheengineerbenamedJim，orBob，orTom，itisallone——hisservicesarenecessary，andheisentitledtosuchwageashecangetyoutopay。WhetherhebenamedChristianScientist，orMentalScientist，orMindCurist，orLourdesMiracle-
　　Worker，orKing's-EvilExpert，itisallone，——heismerelytheEngineer，hesimplyturnsonthesameoldsteamandtheenginedoesthewholework。
　　Inthecaseofthecure-engineitisadistinctadvantagetoclothetheengineerinreligiousoverallsandgivehimapiousname。Itgreatlyenlargesthebusiness，anddoesnooneanyharm。
　　TheChristian-Scientistengineerdrivesexactlythesametradeastheotherengineers，yetheout-prospersthewholeofthemputtogether。Isitbecausehehascapturedthetakingestname？Ithinkthatthatisonlyasmallpartofit。Ithinkthatthesecretofhishighprosperitylieselsewhere：
　　TheChristianScientisthasorganisedthebusiness。Nowthatwascertainlyagiganticidea。ThereismoreintellectinitthanwouldbeneededintheinventionofacoupleofmillionsofEddyScience-and-
　　HealthBibleAnnexes。Electricity，inlimitlessvolume，hasexistedintheairandtherocksandtheearthandeverywheresincetimebegan——andwasgoingtowasteallthewhile。Inourtimewehaveorganisedthatscatteredandwanderingforceandsetittowork，andbackedthebusinesswithcapital，andconcentrateditinfewandcompetenthands，andtheresultsareaswesee。
　　TheChristianScientisthastakenaforcewhichhasbeenlyingidleineverymemberofthehumanracesincetimebegan，andhasorganisedit，andbackedthebusinesswithcapital，andconcentrateditatBostonheadquartersinthehandsofasmallandverycompetentTrust，andthereareresults。
　　Thereinliesthepromisethatthismonopolyisgoingtoextenditscommercewideintheearth。Ithinkthatifthebusinesswereconductedinthelooseanddisconnectedfashioncustomarywithsuchthings，itwouldachievebutlittlemorethanthemodestprosperityusuallysecuredbyunorganisedgreatmoralandcommercialventures；butIbelievethatsolongasthisoneremainscompactlyorganisedandcloselyconcentratedinaTrust，thespreadofitsdominionwillcontinue。
　　VIENNA：May1，1899。
　　[1]Afterraisingadeadchildtolife，thedisciplewhodiditwritesanaccountofherperformance，toMrs。Eddy，andclosesitthus：'Myprayerdailyistobemorespiritual，thatImaydomoreasyouwouldhavemedo……andmayweallloveyoumoreandsoliveitthattheworldmayknowthattheChristiscome。'——PrintedintheConcord，N。H。，IndependentStatesman，March9，1899。Ifthisisnoworship，itisagoodimitationofit。
　　[2]InthepasttwoyearsthemembershipoftheEstablishedChurchofEnglandhavegivenvoluntarycontributionsamountingto$73，000，000totheChurch'sbenevolententerprises。Churchesthatgivehavenothingtohide。
　　[3]ImaybeintroducingthecapitalSalittleearly——stillitisonitsway。
　　ISHELIVINGORISHEDEAD？
　　IwasspendingthemonthofMarch1892atMentone，intheRiviera。Atthisretiredspotonehasalltheadvantages，privately，whicharetobehadpubliclyatMonteCarloandNice，afewmilesfartheralong。Thatistosay，onehasthefloodingsunshine，thebalmyairandthebrilliantbluesea，withoutthemarringadditionsofhumanpow-wowandfussandfeathersanddisplay。Mentoneisquiet，simple，restful，unpretentious；
　　therichandthegaudydonotcomethere。Asarule，Imean，therichdonotcomethere。Nowandthenarichmancomes，andIpresentlygotacquaintedwithoneofthese。PartiallytodisguisehimIwillcallhimSmith。Oneday，intheHoteldesAnglais，atthesecondbreakfast，heexclaimed：
　　'Quick！Castyoureyeonthemangoingoutatthedoor。Takeineverydetailofhim。'
　　'Why？'
　　'Doyouknowwhoheis？'
　　'Yes。Hespentseveraldaysherebeforeyoucame。Heisanold，retired，andveryrichsilkmanufacturerfromLyons，theysay，andI
　　guessheisaloneintheworld，forhealwayslookssadanddreamy，anddoesn'ttalkwithanybody。HisnameisTheophileMagnan。'
　　IsupposedthatSmithwouldnowproceedtojustifythelargeinterestwhichhehadshowninMonsieurMagnan，but，instead，hedroppedintoabrownstudy，andwasapparentlylosttomeandtotherestoftheworldduringsomeminutes。Nowandthenhepassedhisfingersthroughhisflossywhitehair，toassisthisthinking，andmeantimeheallowedhisbreakfasttogooncooling。Atlasthesaid：
　　'No，it'sgone；Ican'tcallitback。'
　　'Can'tcallwhatback？'
　　'It'soneofHansAndersen'sbeautifullittlestories。Butit'sgonefrome。Partofitislikethis：Achildhasacagedbird，whichitlovesbutthoughtlesslyneglects。Thebirdpoursoutitssongunheardandunheeded；but，intime，hungerandthirstassailthecreature，anditssonggrowsplaintiveandfeebleandfinallyceases——thebirddies。Thechildcomes，andissmittentotheheartwithremorse：then，withbittertearsandlamentations，itcallsitsmates，andtheyburythebirdwithelaboratepompandthetenderestgrief，withoutknowing，poorthings，thatitisn'tchildrenonlywhostarvepoetstodeathandthenspendenoughontheirfuneralsandmonumentstohavekeptthemaliveandmadethemeasyandcomfortable。Now——'
　　Butherewewereinterrupted。AbouttenthateveningIranacrossSmith，andheaskedmeuptohisparlourtohelphimsmokeanddrinkhotScotch。
　　Itwasacosyplace，withitscomfortablechairs，itscheerfullamps，anditsfriendlyopenfireofseasonedolive-wood。Tomakeeverythingperfect，therewasamuffledboomingofthesurfoutside。AfterthesecondScotchandmuchlazyandcontentedchat，Smithsaid：
　　'Nowweareproperlyprimed——Itotellacurioushistoryandyoutolistentoit。Ithasbeenasecretformanyyears——asecretbetweenmeandthreeothers；butIamgoingtobreakthesealnow。Areyoucomfortable？'
　　'Perfectly。Goon。'