Falsehood
The Greeks showed a just estimate of the person they
called slanderer, when they made the word synonymous [10]
with devil. If the simple falsehoods uttered about me
were compounded, the mixture would be labelled thus:
“Religionists' mistaken views of Mrs. Eddy's book, ‘Sci-
ence and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and the
malice aforethought of sinners.” [15]
That I take opium; that I am an infidel, a mesmerist,
a medium, a “pantheist;” or that my hourly life is prayerless,
or not in strict obedience to the Mosaic Decalogue,—
is not more true than that I am dead, as is oft reported.
The St. Louis Democrat is alleged to have reported my [20]
demise, and to have said that I died of poison, and bequeathed
my property to Susan Anthony.
The opium falsehood has only this to it: Many years
ago my regular physician prescribed morphine, which I
took, when he could do no more for me. Afterwards, [25]
the glorious revelations of Christian Science saved me
from that necessity and made me well, since which time
I have not taken drugs, with the following exception:
When the mental malpractice of poisoning people was
first undertaken by a mesmerist, to test that malprac- [1]
tice I experimented by taking some large doses of mor-
phine, to see if Christian Science could not obviate its
effect; and I say with tearful thanks, “The drug had
no effect upon me whatever.” The hour has struck, [5]
—“If they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt
them.”
The false report that I have appropriated other people's
manuscripts in my works, has been met and answered
legally. Both in private and public life, and especially [10]
through my teachings, it is well known that I am not a
spiritualist, a pantheist, or prayerless. The most devout
members of evangelical churches will say this, as well as
my intimate acquaintances. None are permitted to re-
main in my College building whose morals are not un- [15]
questionable. I have neither purchased nor ordered a
drug since my residence in Boston; and to my knowledge,
not one has been sent to my house, unless it was something
to remove stains or vermin.
The report that I was dead arose no doubt from the [20]
combined efforts of some malignant students, expelled
from my College for immorality, to kill me: of their mental
design to do this I have proof, but no fear. My heavenly
Father will never leave me comfortless, in the amplitude
of His love; coming nearer in my need, more tenderly to [25]
save and bless.