It seems to me I have been trying to get rid of mortal mind altogether, which of course is equivalent to getting rid of the mortal body, as they are one and inseparable. This cannot be done while we are on this plane of thought. Instead, Truth (Science) says to the senses: "Be ye also perfect, by putting on the glory of Spirit, so God will and can dwell among men (mortals); for all mankind shall be taught of God." In other words, we must "emerge gently from matter into Spirit," through the illumination of mortal mind by Spirit; replacing the dark phantoms of material concepts, "first, in light; second, in reflection; third, in spiritual and immortal forms of beauty and goodness."* This must come gently; and as we entertain the Light and perceive the reflection, we will manifest the immortal forms of beauty and goodness. Paul says: "As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." "Behold I shew you a mystery! we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed."
Do not infer from this that I think mortal mind is something real, and a necessary prelude to immortality, or the real Mind, God. But rather, as we go into a dark room to light a lamp, we do so without one thought about the darkness that envelopes us: knowing full well that when we get the light the darkness will disappear, will go out in the nothingness in which it came in,—proving that the seeming of darkness was only the mortal way we have to express the absence of light. So by demonstration, or lighting the spiritual lump in the darkness of mortal thought, we find that that which in the absence of light seemed so real to our distorted fancies, is now gone. Seeing the light, we remember the darkness only as a negation, a nothing, which the Light forever dispells.
Isaiah (xxxvii. 28) says: "But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me;" and in the thirty-fourth verse: "By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the Lord." So the true status of the case is, that mortal mind is not in reality in "the city" at all, but is simply in the darkness of belief which only needs the light of reality to be entertained to have the darkness vanish. In the light is revealed the true man, the image and likeness of the Perfect Mind, in which there is no sickness, sin, nor death. In order to obtain this true likeness we must have the light (who ever heard of getting a true reflection of anything in darkness), for in the darkness of mortal belief in the reality of matter, how can a true conception of God's pure image and likeness, which is spiritual, be obtained? That is, how can we see what this reflection is?
Suppose, on going to a photographer for a picture, we go at midnight. He tells us it is impossible to get a reflection in this darkness; that we must have light; to wait until dawn, and then we can get it. We wait. At the very first gleam, we insist on having the picture taken; but he says: "The light is very dim, and in it we cannot get a reflection that will enable you to discern the outlines." We again try to possess our hearts in patience, and wait.
A little more light, and we think: "Now, surely, my patience will be rewarded;" but the artist says: "It is impossible. This work is based on scientific principle, and the very first requisite is light." There evidently is only one thing for us to do; that is, to get all in readiness so that we can use the light when it does come, and then patiently wait.
A little longer, and we insist again that now, surely, it is light enough. The artist says: "Well, although we cannot get a good picture, we will try it in reward for your patient waiting; but this will not be a picture that we can keep, because as the rays grow stronger we will obtain very different results. However, this will show you that what I am telling you is true." He takes a negative, and shows us the result. Taking this to as strong a light as we can find, we are able to discern very dimly the outlines, but can hardly tell what it is. Therefore we must wait longer.
As the dawn advances we again become impatient, and the artist shows us another view taken in this light; assuring us, as before, that this one must be thrown away, for when the light is perfect we will have no use for this. Taking this to the light, we see it is by no means perfect; still, compared with the other, it is much better. This encourages us, and brings conviction that the words of the artist are true; that when the light does become strong enough, we shall be able to gain the true reflection. As the light increases, we get other and clearer though still imperfect views.
Finally the artist tells us that the light is now right; but that, in order to have the result brought out, we must get directly into its rays. Taking the place he assigns us, the good work goes on, and we are shown the result in a negative. Looking at this closely, we are not able to discern very clearly the resemblance to the original, and still complain to the artist. He replies: "My dear sir, why do you complain? The work is not yet finished. As I told you, the very first requisite is light; the next is understanding to properly apply the principle of which I spoke. This must be done through industry. Then we must have more light, because all of our labors thus far have only resulted in the negative but by making use of this negative under more light understandingly applied, we will arrive at the true result, the positive reflection. This, however, cannot be done to-day, as it is a process that requires time." So we patiently wait for the development of the positive reflection.
When at last our patience is rewarded, we are amply repaid for all labor spent in the process; of development, as the outlines are perfect, and we can even discern the characteristics of the original in the reflection.
Making application of this illustration to the process that goes on in mortal mind, in the development of mortal belief toward the better negative, we find many points that are analogous. And when enabled by spiritual light to discern the true reflection, that is, the image and likeness of Spirit, then are the words made true in our consciousness, "Perfect love casteth out all fear," then the "Immortal forms of beauty and goodness," are made real to our mortal perception, in a degree; but as the light is not perfect so long as we are on this plane of thought (that is, we are not able to discern it perfectly), all of our labors must result only in the negative, that must finally give place to the glorious positive reflection which will then be manifested in perfect "spiritual and immortal forms of beauty and goodness."
* Science and Health.
