第7章

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。