The article under the above caption, in the May C. S. J., to my mind, met the question of the hour as no other contribution has done. It voiced the experience of all who have entered the arena of mental science, and pointedly reiterated the wise directions of our teacher, on the subject of maliciously intentioned mind. Permit me to add my own evidence to the power of that influence.
After I studied Science I passed through very nearly the same experience in the matter of personal shrinking from all connection with the subject, that your contributor mentions. But there are cases that have come under my observation where the effects of mesmerism are even more disastrously apparent: homes have been broken up; children have sickened and died; enmities have been established between life-long friends; ingratitude and hatred have superseded grateful regard and deep affection for their teacher, and all that is known in the world of evil has been accomplished by the false potency of mesmerism, will-power and silent argument. Let me cite one instance in proof.
Near my home was a very lovely family consisting of husband, wife and two young children. There moved into their neighborhood one of these practical pests. He began by turning the thoughts of the wife toward himself and away from her family; succeeded so effectually that within a few months she actually left her pleasant home and little ones to wander in a distant country with the unsuspected mesmerist.
There are thousands of this class, prepared by professionals in the art, who are practising upon innocent men, women and children; only a knowledge of the Science of an Omnipotent Mind will save the world from this army of silent forces for evil.
Letters are received at the College daily, from all parts of the country, asking advice and describing the effects of mesmerism in cases cited. Also, letters saying they have been advised to mentally attack members of the College, as the ones who were making them suffer. Think, for a moment, of this! The president cautions all her students never to interfere with the rights of mortal mind in any way. When first learning what it was, and how to meet this sin with science, she knew no better way than to teach a harmless method of self defence. Since then this necessity has been obviated by constant discovery of the good resources in mental science, with which to meet the evil outside of it constantly welling up. She now instructs her students in the prevention, instead of cure,—how to deprive mental malpractice of all power. She never argues a case mentally; all her teaching has to be done through the efficacy of Spirit, without an argument.
The memory of her who first aroused public attention to this still obnoxious theme of mesmerism and taught the sure way of escape, will sometime be held in grateful hearts as bravest among women in the pioneer days of Christian Science.
