Backsliders and mistakes
Christian Science is not an exception to the general
rule, that there is no excellence without labor in a direct
457:21 line. One cannot scatter his fire, and at the
same time hit the mark. To pursue other
vocations and advance rapidly in the demonstration of
457:24 this Science, is not possible. Departing from Christian
Science, some learners commend diet and hygiene.
They even practise these, intending thereby to initiate
457:27 the cure which they mean to complete with Mind, as if
the non-intelligent could aid Mind! The Scientist's
demonstration rests on one Principle, and there must
457:30 and can be no opposite rule. Let this Principle be ap-
plied to the cure of disease without exploiting other
means.
Mental charlatanism
458:1 Mental quackery rests on the same platform as all
other quackery. The chief plank in this platform is the
458:3 doctrine that Science has two principles in
partnership, one good and the other evil, -
one spiritual, the other material, - and that these two
458:6 may be simultaneously at work on the sick. This
theory is supposed to favor practice from both a mental
and a material standpoint. Another plank in the plat-
458:9 form is this, that error will finally have the same effect
as truth.
Divinity ever ready
It is anything but scientifically Christian to think of
458:12 aiding the divine Principle of healing or of trying to sus-
tain the human body until the divine Mind
is ready to take the case. Divinity is always
458:15 ready. /Semper paratus/ is Truth's motto. Having seen
so much suffering from quackery, the author desires to
keep it out of Christian Science. The two-edged sword
458:18 of Truth must turn in every direction to guard "the tree
of life."
The panoply of wisdom
Sin makes deadly thrusts at the Christian Scientist as
458:21 ritualism and creed are summoned to give place to higher
law, but Science will ameliorate mortal malice.
The Christianly scientific man reflects the
458:24 divine law, thus becoming a law unto himself. He does
violence to no man. Neither is he a false accuser. The
Christian Scientist wisely shapes his course, and is hon-
458:27 est and consistent in following the leadings of divine
Mind. He must prove, through living as well as heal-
ing and teaching, that Christ's way is the only one
458:30 by which mortals are radically saved from sin and
sickness.
Advancement by sacrifice
Christianity causes men to turn naturally from matter
459:1 to Spirit, as the flower turns from darkness to light.
Man then appropriates those things which "eye hath
459:3 not seen nor ear heard." Paul and John
had a clear apprehension that, as mortal man
achieves no worldly honors except by sacrifice,
459:6 so he must gain heavenly riches by forsaking all worldli-
ness. Then he will have nothing in common with the
worldling's affections, motives, and aims. Judge not the
459:9 future advancement of Christian Science by the steps
already taken, lest you yourself be condemned for fail-
ing to take the first step.