Will any good brother and sister Scientists answer the questions that follow?—for I honestly desire to be instructed:—
Is it mesmerism which heals a patient of a painful disease, even if that disease should sometime return (the best of the Scientists have such experiences in this age), and even if the lady who treats is ignorantly afraid of our Teacher? Her fear may have been caused by the misrepresentations of others, and she herself be honestly mistaken. Should she be condemned, or patiently and gently drawn, in a spirit of love, into the true Science? Truly it is difficult to comprehend how any one can be afraid of one who has been so inspired by God as to write as the Teacher has written; but if the fear exists, it seems to me that the best way to conquer it and to substitute in its place genuine love for her, would be to induce the one victimized by fear to read and study Science and Health. If that doesn't cure, we must still have patience, and wait God's time—when she will be prepared for the Truth.
In regard to criticisms that have appeared in the Journal and elsewhere: do they serve any good purpose? Would it not be better to hold unswervingly to the teachings we have received; to try to make our explanation so clear, and our examples so pure that all may admire and love and desire to understand; to let that be the test of their Truth? Those undeveloped or unprepared teachers who teach a little Truth, may plant a seed which will grow to a greater comprehension. This has been my own hope. Christ told those whom he taught, to go out and teach, even though he must have known that they did not fully comprehend. If the "Key to Science and Health" was not what it claimed to be, it might have been gently said that the lady had not comprehended the teachings. Many would then have read and studied both, to find the difference,—and who shall say that Truth would not have prevailed. The severe criticism, perhaps, called out a book more harmful than the so called "Key." Have we not been taught to "overcome evil with good"? Some time ago, I was told that the good sister, who wrote the criticism referred to, once cured a blind girl; and that when the sight began to appear, the girl and her healer wept together in joy. My heart went out in love to the dear sister when this was told me; but, when I read the criticism, I felt hurt and pained, as I have often felt when reading articles of that kind in the Journal,— and I ask again: Is it necessary?
