Wedlock
It was about the year 1875 that Science and Health
first crossed swords with free-love, and the latter fell hors [15]
de combat; but the whole warfare of sensuality was not
then ended. Science and Health, the book that cast the
first stone, is still at work, deep down in human conscious-
ness, laying the axe at the root of error.
We have taken the precaution to write briefly on mar- [20]
riage, showing its relation to Christian Science. In the
present or future, some extra throe of error may conjure
up a new-style conjugality, which, ad libitum, severs the
marriage covenant, puts virtue in the shambles, and
coolly notifies the public of broken vows. Springing [25]
up from the ashes of free-love, this nondescript phoenix,
in the face and eyes of common law, common sense, and
common honesty, may appear in the rôle of a superfine
conjugality; but, having no Truth, it will have no past,
present, or future. [30]
The above prophecy, written years ago, has already [1]
been fulfilled. It is seen in Christian Science that the
gospel of marriage is not without the law, and the solemn
vow of fidelity, “until death do us part;” this verity in
human economy can neither be obscured nor throttled. [5]
Until time matures human growth, marriage and progeny
will continue unprohibited in Christian Science. We look
to future generations for ability to comply with absolute
Science, when marriage shall be found to be man's one-
ness with God,—the unity of eternal Love. At present, [10]
more spiritual conception and education of children will
serve to illustrate the superiority of spiritual power over
sensuous, and usher in the dawn of God's creation,
wherein they neither marry nor are given in marriage,
but are as the angels. To abolish marriage at this period, [15]
and maintain morality and generation, would put inge-
nuity to ludicrous shifts; yet this is possible in Science,
although it is to-day problematic.
The time cometh, and now is, for spiritual and eternal
existence to be recognized and understood in Science. [20]
All is Mind. Human procreation, birth, life, and death
are subjective states of the human erring mind; they
are the phenomena of mortality, nothingness, that illus-
trate mortal mind and body as one, and neither real nor
eternal. [25]
It should be understood that Spirit, God, is the only
creator: we should recognize this verity of being, and
shut out all sense of other claims. Until this absolute
Science of being is seen, understood, and demonstrated
in the offspring of divine Mind, and man is perfect even [30]
as the Father is perfect, human speculation will go on,
and stop at length at the spiritual ultimate: creation
understood as the most exalted divine conception. The [1]
offspring of an improved generation, however, will go out
before the forever fact that man is eternal and has no
human origin. Hence the Scripture: “It is He that hath
made us, and not we ourselves;” and the Master's de- [5]
mand, “Call no man your father upon the earth: for one
is your Father, which is in heaven.”
To an ill-attuned ear, discord is harmony; so personal
sense, discerning not the legitimate affection of Soul,
may place love on a false basis and thereby lose it. Science [10]
corrects this error with the truth of Love, and restores
lost Eden. Soul is the infinite source of bliss: only high
and holy joy can satisfy immortal cravings. The good
in human affections should preponderate over the evil,
and the spiritual over the animal,—until progress lifts [15]
mortals to discern the Science of mental formation and
find the highway of holiness.
In the order of wisdom, the higher nature of man
governs the lower. This lays the foundations of human
affection in line with progress, giving them strength and [20]
permanence.
When asked by a wife or a husband important ques-
tions concerning their happiness, the substance of my reply
is: God will guide you. Be faithful over home rela-
tions; they lead to higher joys: obey the Golden Rule [25]
for human life, and it will spare you much bitterness.
It is pleasanter to do right than wrong; it makes one
ruler over one's self and hallows home,—which is woman's
world. Please your husband, and he will be apt to please
you; preserve affection on both sides. [30]
Great mischief comes from attempts to steady other
people's altars, venturing on valor without discretion,
which is virtually meddlesomeness. Even your sincere [1]
and courageous convictions regarding what is best for
others may be mistaken; you must be demonstratively
right yourself, and work out the greatest good to the
greatest number, before you are sure of being a fit coun- [5]
sellor. Positive and imperative thoughts should be dropped
into the balances of God and weighed by spiritual Love,
and not be found wanting, before being put into action.
A rash conclusion that regards only one side of a ques-
tion, is weak and wicked; this error works out the results [10]
of error. If the premise of mortal existence is wrong,
any conclusion drawn therefrom is not absolutely right.
Wisdom in human action begins with what is nearest
right under the circumstances, and thence achieves the
absolute. [15]
Is marriage nearer right than celibacy?
Human knowledge inculcates that it is, while Science
indicates that it is not. But to force the consciousness
of scientific being before it is understood is impossible,
and believing otherwise would prevent scientific demon- [20]
stration. To reckon the universal cost and gain, as well
as thine own, is right in every state and stage of being.
The selfish rôle of a martyr is the shift of a dishonest
mind, nothing short of self-seeking; and real suffering
would stop the farce. [25]
The cause of temperance receives a strong impulse
from the cause of Christian Science: temperance and
truth are allies, and their cause prospers in proportion
to the spirit of Love that nerves the struggle. People
will differ in their opinions as to means to promote the [30]
ends of temperance; that is, abstinence from intoxicat-
ing beverages. Whatever intoxicates a man, stultifies,
and causes him to degenerate physically and morally. [1]
Strong drink is unquestionably an evil, and evil cannot
be used temperately: its slightest use is abuse; hence
the only temperance is total abstinence. Drunkenness
is sensuality let loose, in whatever form it is made [5]
manifest.
What is evil? It is suppositional absence of good.
From a human standpoint of good, mortals must first
choose between evils, and of two evils choose the less;
and at present the application of scientific rules to hu- [10]
man life seems to rest on this basis.
All partnerships are formed on agreements to certain
compacts: each party voluntarily surrenders independ-
ent action to act as a whole and per agreement. This
fact should be duly considered when by the marriage [15]
contract two are made one, and, according to the divine
precept, “they twain shall be one flesh.” Oneness in
spirit is Science, compatible with home and heaven.
Neither divine justice nor human equity has divorced
two minds in one. [20]
Rights that are bargained away must not be retaken
by the contractors, except by mutual consent. Human
nature has bestowed on a wife the right to become a
mother; but if the wife esteems not this privilege, by
mutual consent, exalted and increased affections, she [25]
may win a higher. Science touches the conjugal ques-
tion on the basis of a bill of rights. Can the bill of con-
jugal rights be fairly stated by a magistrate, or by a
minister? Mutual interests and affections are the spirit
of these rights, and they should be consulted, augmented, [30]
and allowed to rise to the spiritual altitude whence they
can choose only good.
A third person is not a party to the compact of two [1]
hearts. Let other people's marriage relations alone: two
persons only, should be found within their precincts.
The nuptial vow is never annulled so long as the animus
of the contract is preserved intact. Science lifts humanity [5]
higher in the scale of harmony, and must ultimately break
all bonds that hinder progress.