Christian Science
From Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy
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This age is reaching out towards the perfect Principle
of things; is pushing towards perfection in art, inven-
tion, and manufacture. Why, then, should religion be
stereotyped, and we not obtain a more perfect and prac-
10 tical Christianity? It will never do to be behind the
times in things most essential, which proceed from the
standard of right that regulates human destiny. Human
skill but foreshadows what is next to appear as its divine
origin. Proportionately as we part with material systems
15 and theories, personal doctrines and dogmas, meekly to
ascend the hill of Science, shall we reach the maximum
of perfection in all things.
Spirit is omnipotent; hence a more spiritual Chris-
tianity will be one having more power, having perfected
20 in Science that most important of all arts, — healing.
Metaphysical healing, or Christian Science, is a de-
mand of the times. Every man and every woman would
desire and demand it, if he and she knew its infinite
value and firm basis. The unerring and fixed Principle
25 of all healing is God; and this Principle should be
sought from the love of good, from the most spiritual
and unselfish motives. Then will it be understood to be
of God, and not of man; and this will prevent mankind
from striking out promiscuously, teaching and practising
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1 in the name of Science without knowing its fundamental
Principle.
It is important to know that a malpractice of the best
system will result in the worst form of medicine. More-
5 over, the feverish, disgusting pride of those who call
themselves metaphysicians or Scientists, — but are such
in name only, — fanned by the breath of mental mal-
practice, is the death’s-head at the feast of Truth; the
monkey in harlequin jacket that will retard the onward
10 march of life-giving Science, if not understood and with-
stood, and so strangled in its attempts.
The standard of metaphysical healing is traduced by
thinking to put into the old garment of drugging the new
cloth of metaphysics; or by trying to twist the fatal
15 magnetic force of mortal mind, termed hypnotism, into
a more fashionable cut and naming that “mind-cure,”
or — which is still worse in the eyes of Truth — terming
it metaphysics! Substituting good words for a good life,
fair-seeming for straightforward character, mental mal-
20 practice for the practice of true medicine, is a poor shift
for the weak and worldly who think the standard of
Christian Science too high for them.
What think you of a scientist in mathematics who finds
fault with the exactness of the rule because unwilling to
25 work hard enough to practise it? The perfection of the
rule of Christian Science is what constitutes its utility:
having a true standard, if some fall short, others will
approach it; and these are they only who adhere to that
standard.
30 Matter must be understood as a false belief or product so
of mortal mind: whence we learn that sensation is not
in matter, but in this so-called mind; that we see and
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1 feel disease only by reason of our belief in it: then shall
matter remain no longer to blind us to Spirit, and clog
the wheels of progress. We spread our wings in vain when
we attempt to mount above error by speculative views
5 of Truth.
Love is the Principle of divine Science; and Love is
not learned of the material senses, nor gained by a culpa-
ble attempt to seem what we have not lifted ourselves
to be, namely, a Christian. In love for man, we gain a
10 true sense of Love as God; and in no other way can we
reach this spiritual sense, and rise — and still rise — to
things most essential and divine. What hinders man’s
progress is his vain conceit, the Phariseeism of the times,
also his effort to steal from others and avoid hard work;
15 errors which can never find a place in Science. Empiri-
cal knowledge is worse than useless: it never has advanced
man a single step in the scale of being.
That one should have ventured on such unfamiliar
ground, and, self-forgetful, should have gone on to estab-
20 lish this mighty system of metaphysical healing, called
Christian Science, against such odds, — even the entire
current of mortality, — is matter of grave wonderment to
profound thinkers. That, in addition to this, she has made
some progress, has seen far into the spiritual facts of be-
25 ing which constitute physical and mental perfection, in
the midst of an age so sunken in sin and sensuality, seems
to them still more inconceivable.
In this new departure of metaphysics, God is regarded
more as absolute, supreme; and Christ is clad with a
30 richer illumination as our Saviour from sickness, sin,
and death. God’s fatherliness as Life, Truth, and Love,
makes His sovereignty glorious.
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1 By this system, too, man has a changed recognition
of his relation to God. He is no longer obliged to sin,
be sick, and die to reach heaven, but is required and em-
powered to conquer sin, sickness, and death; thus, as
5 image and likeness, to reflect Him who destroys death
and hell. By this reflection, man becomes the partaker
of that Mind whence sprang the universe.
In Christian Science, progress is demonstration, not
doctrine. This Science is ameliorative and regenerative,
10 delivering mankind from all error through the light and
love of Truth. It gives to the race loftier desires and new
possibilities. It lays the axe at the root of the tree of
knowledge, to cut down all that bringeth not forth good
fruit; “and blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended
15 in me.” It touches mind to more spiritual issues, sys-
tematizes action, gives a keener sense of Truth and a
stronger desire for it.
Hungering and thirsting after a better life, we shall
have it, and become Christian Scientists; learn God
20 aright, and know something of the ideal man, the real
man, harmonious and eternal. This movement of thought
must push on the ages: it must start the wheels of reason
aright, educate the affections to higher resources, and
leave Christianity unbiased by the superstitions of a
25 senior period.