ANIMAL magnetism, a term used in Christian Science, is thus defined by Mrs. Eddy on page 103 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "As named in Christian Science, animal magnetism or hypnotism is the specific term for error, or mortal mind. It is the false belief that mind is in matter, and is both evil and good; that evil is as real as good and more powerful." It is highly significant that this definition gives not the slightest reality to animal magnetism. Indeed, in the sentence immediately following the words just quoted Mrs. Eddy says, "This belief has not one quality of Truth."
Animal magnetism, then, as it is regarded in Christian Science, is "the specific term for error." But what is meant by "error"? To answer the question scientifically we are forced to consider the very fundamentals of being, the truths concerning God and His creation. What are some of these truths? Christian Science reveals that God is infinite Mind or Spirit, and that He is infinite good. It teaches also that since God is Spirit and infinite good, what are called matter and evil have only a supposititious existence; or, in other words, that matter and evil are unreal. The nature of "error" thus becomes plain. It is the false belief that matter and evil are real, that matter and evil have power to produce real effects; whereas God, good, alone is real, the only power whereby true effects are produced.
In reality there is no presence or intelligence but that of God; no power but the power of divine Mind; and this power is always good. As Mrs. Eddy says on page 102 of Science and Health, "Animal magnetism has no scientific foundation, for God governs all that is real, harmonious, and eternal, and His power is neither animal nor human." How wonderfully Christian Science glorifies God by acknowledging Him as infinite good! And how it exposes the unreal nature of all which in belief is opposed to the divine nature!
We see, then, that in considering animal magnetism we are dealing with that which is altogether unreal, although the claim is that it produces effects which are the opposite of good. The evil that appears to be so rampant in the world is naught but the seeming effect of animal magnetism, the seeming activity of mortal mind—a supposititious mind apparently opposed to divine Mind. When one is deceived by this false activity, believes it to be real and accepts its suggestions, he may become what is called sick or sinful. Thus every phase of sin—envy, jealousy, anger, hate, malice, lust, and so forth—is the effect of animal magnetism; but as animal magnetism is without scientific foundation, without real cause, sin is likewise without scientific foundation or real cause, and is consequently an unreal state of consciousness.
The same can be said of disease as of sin: Disease is always the seeming effect of animal magnetism. Consider the question for a moment in this way: Since God is infinite good, can disease, which is not good, originate in Him? No! Because disease does not come from God, the one source of all reality, it can be only a supposititious effect of mortal mind, error, or animal magnetism. This is true, whatever the seeming nature of the disease.
It is similar with every other form of discord: each is devoid of scientific foundation; each is but the seeming result of animal magnetism. Thus, all the trials of mankind arise from the belief that evil is real and that it is usurping the place of God or good. Examine the problems that confront the world today and it will be found that in considering them the great majority of men are regarding evil as real, and in seeking the solution of these problems are continually allowing themselves to be confounded by this erroneous belief. In other words, they are not aware of what Christian Science teaches, namely, that every discordant condition is the effect of animal magnetism, so called, and must be met or destroyed by the understanding that good alone is real and alone has power.
What a different aspect the teaching of Christian Science gives to the problem of sin and disease — of all discord indeed! As we comprehend this teaching we no longer regard sin as having a real basis, but as the result of accepting as true the false claims of evil; no longer regard disease as having a scientific foundation and the support of real law, but as the effect of belief in the reality and power of matter or evil, acting through so-called animal magnetism. The Christian Scientist, knowing these things, does not set about destroying sin or healing disease as if sin and disease were real. He understands the nothingness of the so-called activity of animal magnetism, denies it reality, and realizes that where evil claims to be only harmonious being exists.
Nothing is more certain than that Christ Jesus was alive to the subtle modes of error—animal magnetism—as well as to their unreal nature. Did not he say, referring to the devil or evil, "He is a liar, and the father of it"? But the fact of his being aware of the unreality of evil did not deter Jesus from denouncing sin. He went even a step farther than that: he healed the sinner when the latter was repentant, even as he healed those who were diseased when in faith they turned to him for help.
Christian Science is greatly blessing mankind today with its clear, unambiguous teaching of God's allness as good, and by its exposure of evil as utterly unreal. And all who understand this teaching are grateful to Mrs. Eddy for the guidance she has given them in her writings with regard to the handling of the claims of animal magnetism. When error, as aggressive mental suggestion, would have them believe in evil's reality and seek to make them sick, sinful, unhappy, or depressed, or believe that good is limited, they are not deceived. They recognize the suggestion as animal magnetism and therefore as having no part in true consciousness; and so protect themselves against it. "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."
