We may understand by the term "mesmerism" (malicious or innocent) the power apparent of animal mind, or magnetism. I am deeply interested in the accounts furnished by the C. S. J. correspondents concerning their experience with, and observations of its workings. They tally so closely with the forewarnings of our teacher that her explanations might almost be called prophecies rather than class-room analysis.
The process of malicious mesmerism, namely, inciting faith in evil, displacing love with hatred, creating new and false opinions in reference to the messenger of God our age,—the true mental cure, has raged with violence ever since she first uttered herself. The firmer her protests against submission to its government, the more determined became the perpetrators to sway the minds of people, till it might "deceive, if possible, the very elect."
In the midst of the scorn and ridicule of men at having their attention distracted from the absorbing theme of "money" and drawn to the silent undermining of home, happiness, health, it is a great mind that can stand out alone and, seeing, still protest against this growing evil. Has any one realized this? Take the bravest of historic reformers,—would they (could they) have stood utterly alone, absolutely defenceless, and denounced to an unbelieving race the raging of an altogether unseen and nowhere realized evil? Except in the life of the apostles we have no parallel. Paul said he wrestled "not against flesh and blood, but against (unseen) principalities and (unseen) powers," mind over mind, alias the mind killing selfish ends and murderous designs, malicious mesmerism—animal magnetism that would make the very truth of God a lie. Were it not that in her hand she bears tables of stone with new commandments graven, pointing, through obedience, the way to freedom, we should have no escape from this pestilence that walketh at noonday. But none need falter, none need be overcome, made sick or sinful by this demon mesmerism, if he will faithfully obey the unerring precepts of Christian Science. The following is
