Experiments in the action of mortal mind, under the name of hypnotism,—conducted by Dr. Charcot of Paris and others—have for the last two years attracted general attention in Europe, and furnished entertainment to persons who have brought out on one another its phenomena. What has fixed public attention in this direction, or gratified curiosity, is but another human error and not the true Science of Being, and for that reason it has only repeated the "success of curiosity" enjoyed by Mesmer a hundred years ago. The knowledge of Science in this country has brought out in addition to these phenomena of ignorant mesmerism, the phenomena—unknown in Europe thus far because that Science is unknown—of malicious mesmerism. Instances are here, through the press, from time to time brought to public notice, of the use of this power for purposes of vulgar theft or petty fraud. But Scientists are becoming familiar with its employment for the criminal designs of hate and revenge, reaching even to the destruction of mortal life.
The first published observations and explanation of the modus operandi of this then unknown and even unsuspected power of mind are found in the edition of Science and Health, 1876 by Mary B. G. Eddy. In the edition of 1882 we meet detailed accounts of these incredible wickednesses committed through it; so incredible that they seemed fancies of a diseased brain, or the ravings of insanity. To such an extent was this true, that up to the present time, so far as we are aware, there has not been a single instance —even in this country where the book is largely circulated—in which scientific investigators of hypnotism or mesmerism have so much as made reference to them. This is not strange, for the understanding of the Science of Being is the key to these statements, and to any one unacquainted with it they must seem the wildest vagaries.
The operation of ignorant mesmerism is vividly painted in these words, in Science and Health:
