That spiritual discernment counteracts animal magnetism was proved when Mrs. Eddy included her observations on animal magnetism in the chapter entitled "Healing the Sick" in the first edition of Science and Health. In her autobiography, "Retrospection and Introspection" (see pp. 37, 38), she tells of her reluctance to give this information to the public and of what she terms the divine purpose that it should be done.
While rejoicing in the knowledge that had come to her of the power of good, she shrank from putting out her discovery of the ways and means of evil. She had given her manuscript to the printer without the last chapter, and the book was partially printed when the work was stopped. She was unable to get him to finish it until she overcame her own resistance to the uncovering of animal magnetism and finished this chapter. In later editions of Science and Health the observations on animal magnetism were put in a separate chapter, which was eventually entitled "Animal Magnetism Unmasked."
Her experience illustrates the nature of animal magnetism, which would keep from the world the understanding of evil as a mesmeric belief of the carnal mind, for this understanding enables mankind to overcome evil. Mrs. Eddy's spiritual discernment uncovered this belief and counteracted its effects which would have prevented the fulfillment of her mission as the revelator of Truth to this age.
