IS CHRISTIAN SCIENCE A "CRAZE"? 221 



enter the Science can not demonstrate on themselves and others 

 with the same or with uniform success, is no more an argument 

 against its Principle and Rule, than is the fact that few can fol- 

 low the calculations of Leverrier an argument against the exist- 

 ence of the planet Neptune, or the truth of mathematics that 

 pointed it out. Because every school-boy or college graduate 

 does not work his way into the calculus, or reach the demonstra- 

 tion of the highest problem of geometry, shall we deny the exact- 

 ness and value of mathematics, and throw away our Euclid and 

 the arithmetics ? To the contrary of such reasoning, would not 

 the pretension that the results of Christian Science could be 

 brought out arbitrarily, and in disregard of established facts and 

 laws of consciousness, be a demonstration of its unscientific 

 character ? 



Now, as to the question of reality or unreality of matter and 

 its beliefs, especially of sickness and sin : evidently, if the objects 

 opposed to harmony can be destroyed or kept out of any indi- 

 vidual consciousness, such objects will — to this individual — have 

 ceased to exist. If he can keep out any one or a number of such 

 objects, just in so far approach is made to the state of absolute 

 harmony, that is wholeness or health. 



Christian Science admits the reality of the phenomena of 

 matter — as defined above — to material sense, and it teaches the 

 destruction of this sense, through the operation of Truth under- 

 stood ; but it demonstrates, by such destruction, that it is a false 

 sense, and that it is unreal in this — that it has neither Principle 

 nor permanence. 



The exercise of the healing power in Christian Science is no 

 mystery. It is explained in " Science and Health " as follows : 



" A mental state of self-condemnation and guilt, or a faltering 

 and doubting trust in Truth, are unsuitable conditions for healing 

 the sick ; if lost yourself in the belief and fear of disease, and 

 ignorant of the mental remedy, you fail to use the energies of 

 Mind in your own behalf, you can exercise little or no power for 

 others' help." 



" To succeed in healing you must conquer your own beliefs and 

 fears as well as those of your patients, and you must rise daily 

 into higher and holier being ; by the spirit of Truth and Love you 

 manifest, you will heal the sick. . . . Science makes no concessions 

 to persons or opinions. One must abide strictly by its rules, or 

 he can not demonstrate its Principle. . . . We approach to God or 

 Life in the ratio of our spirituality and fidelity to Truth ; and in 

 that ratio we are able to discern the thoughts of the sick and the 

 sinful that it may heal them." 



The power of healing goes up and down with the moral condi- 

 tion of the healer, and this so completely that the Scientist knows 



