Editor Journal: I observe that there are some teachers of Christian Science, who have a large following of students, and who seemingly seek, by means of associations and personal intercourse, to hold their students as a separate body, centering round and dependent on, the personality of the teacher, as a leader. Should not such personal leadership be done away with, so that students may look to Principle for guidance and governance?
Does not the student, by continually referring to the teacher for the solution of the questions that daily arise on points of Science stand in his own light, darken his understanding and retard his growth?
Does not each one of us, when the apprehension of Truth has been gained, grow from our own realization of Truth, and through individual demonstration?
Should not teachers, then, as far as possible, destroy the thought of personality, and make their students work out their own salvation, though it be with "fear and trembling?"
Is not any course of action that tends to make the personality of any individual prominent, a detriment to those under its influence, and a hindrance to Science? Or, in other words, does not the sense of personality hinder the understanding of Principle?—A Seeker.
The above communication puts questions that seem to be a logical sequence of the most striking occurrences, of the last months. They should bring out many replies, and the Journal will publish the different views presented, so that the subject may be well considered before the meeting of the National Association.
A correspondent asks, "Can friends who have 'passed on,' appear in bodily form, and speak in an audible voice? I have never had any direct personal experience or the sort, and have always been a strong opposer of "spiritualism." But once while I was giving a present treatment, the patient, (stranger to me, and also an unbeliever in Spiritualism,) was healed instantly. I saw or heard nothing; the patient (a lady,) said my daughter appeared to her, and said many encouraging things to her."
"This lady is a person, whose word I could not doubt. She has since told me that, lying awake one night, in suffering, according to belief, not at all thinking of me, my daughter again came in the gentlest, most loving manner, even laying "slender fingers" on her cheek, reminded her how "mamma" had helped her before, and advised her to come to me again, saying that I should do her good. The lady was frightened, and threw off the impressions as soon as she could."
"Another case: The person was seemingly very near death, and suffering much. I received a letter when I commenced treating her, stating that a woman appeared to the sick one and said: "Be quiet, I have come to do you good." She was delirious at the time, but immediately became quiet, and in her right mind and continued calm and peaceful until the next week when she "passed on."
"What are we to think of these things? Also how are we to reconcile the teaching of Science with what is said, Matt, xxvii. 52, 53. Very sincerely,
The above is printed because it represents experiences that are disturbing the thought of many who are in sympathy with the teachings of Science, and would, but for them, follow these teachings unreservedly. These persons say, "but this has happened to me, and I know it is so, and I am not a spiritualist." One who sees the sun seemingly rise, may just as reasonably insist, in face of scientific demonstration, that the sun goes around the earth, for in both cases the conclusion is based on the testimony of the personal senses. Spiritual sense cannot bear testimony to person. All who are troubled with experiences of the sort related above should study carefully the first ten pages of the chapter "Imposition and Demonstration" (always supposing they are already well acquainted with the premises of Science as laid down in the "Platform of Christian Science "or the chapter "Recapitulation"). The pages 248-255, S. & H., contain the full, scientific explanation of the phenomena of spiritualism, second sight, clairvoyance, mediumship, etc. But to the full comprehension of these pages, thorough study of the premises of Christian Science, as laid down in the chapters above named and of the preceding pages in "Imposition and Demonstration," in which the illusion of "person" is uncovered,—is indispensable.
Persons who insist on the reality of such phenomena have not yet understood that "mind evolves images of thought," nor learned to distinguish between "veritable ideas" and "thoughts proceeding from the brain or from matter," which are only beliefs. The experiences related above by our correspondent are completely explained by the presence of unconscious yearning in the mind of the writer for communion with her daughter: this would have reproduced the image of the daughter in the mortal consciousness of the patients. The first work of anyone subject to such delusions, should be to eradicate scientifically the thought from which they are born, in the very way above indicated.
I have been much helped in reading the Journal, and would like to ask if we Christian Scientists can become so Spiritual that we have no need to follow the example of Jesus who was baptized in the water, then by the Spirit; who came to fulfil all righteousness?—Inquirer.
In Divine Science water symbolizes purity. Jesus submitted to the symbol, and thus showed to mortals that purity of thought must precede Spirituality. He taught but one God, one faith, one baptism, that of Spirit,—which signifies to be submerged in Truth; a purification from the flesh, as taught in Science and Health. Through the understanding of Truth and Love we are to receive this true baptism wherein all symbols are done away. We follow his example by demonstrating the Truth he taught. —
In Science and Health I read the following: "Science reveals the great fact that earth is an idea, not matter." If this earth is not material matter, according to its definition by our standard lexicographers, then what is matter?
We very readily perceive that the real is the eternal, immutable, the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and that the unreal is the opposite of this. Is it taught in Science and Health that this earth, the planets, sun, moon, and stars, are visible manifestations, or material expressions of Divine thought or idea? The real idea is in the mind of Deity, the Creator. So with the material man. Is he the visible expression of the great Invisible,—the material representation of the immaterial? Yet how can this be? Spirit does not express matter. Then where did material man originate? Where did flesh, blood, and bones come from? It is plain that the real man is a reflection of Spirit, but the other man is what puzzles us. An answer to this will set at rest the conflicting theories with regard to the origin of animal, vegetable, and material life. Once more: what is it that animates this material body, causing the blood to flow, and the source of what we call physical life? Is it mortal mind or immortal Mind? There has been more controversy here with regard to the foregoing than on all other subjects on which our beloved Teacher has written.—
("Subscriber" has in large part answered his own questions, in the simple phrase, "Spirit does not express matter." A thorough study of the Chapter "Science of Being," and of "Genesis," in Science and Health, will clear up the confusion in his and his friends' thoughts.
As to the question "Where did they come from?" the answer so often given to classes in the Mass. Met. College must suffice, pending the careful study above recommended: "They never came." When the understanding of this is reached, the question as to what it is that animates this that is not and has never come, will be disposed of. But the understanding of these questions can never be fully gained except through demonstration. The careful study of Science and Health will give the measure of understanding requisite for a beginning of demonstration. Renewed and continuous study, coupled with continued demonstration, will dispose of all these troublesome questions; nothing else will. Science is not opinion or idle speculation. The agitation of such questions as the above, if it ends there, is only the wisdom of men, which is foolishness with God. Through demonstration alone can we get out of opinion, and into fulness of understanding.—)
