In Science and Health (p. 495) Mrs. Eddy makes a most comprehensive, far-reaching, and important statement, when she recommends her followers to "classify sickness and error as our Master did." Elsewhere, in referring to the forces of Mind, which human knowledge calls forces of matter, she speaks of the corrective office of Christian Science, which "restores them to their rightful home and classification" (p. 124). In the above words she prescribes a course of procedure which, if followed, would go far toward establishing the kingdom of heaven among men.
Careful reflection makes clear the fine discrimination employed in the author's use of the word classification. In the history of the Roman empire the term class was used to designate one of the six divisions of citizens, made according to their wealth, for the regulation of taxation. Among the definitions which the Century dictionary gives of the word class is this: "Any body of persons grouped together by particular circumstances or for particular reasons;" also, "A number of objects distinguished by common characters from all others, and regarded as a collective unit or group." Observation shows that primitive people give little heed to rightful classification, some tribes of Indians having but one name for tree; but as men progress in a right apprehension of the truth, they give to all things their rightful place.
It is well known that the orderly conduct of a great business enterprise hinges upon the proper classification of its varied interests. For example, the post-office would suffer great disorder, and the people much inconvenience, were it not for the fact that the order of classification which has been established is strictly obeyed by all concerned. Letters reach their destination promptly and quickly, because each employee is trained to classify every country, state, city, and name aright. We note, too, how exactly nature classifies all living things, and how obedient the members of each class are to the material conditions governing them.
