Page:Historical Sketch of Christian Science.pdf/29

24 Doubters of the existence or the evil of Animal Magnetism, sneerers at the probability of its methods, will at no distant day have their eyes sharply opened. I have been too charitable towards this evil, through sheer ignorance. He who is guilty of mental malpractice scoffs at its possibilities. He who bears witness to them is the friend of humanity.

Let us follow the example of Jesus, the Master Metaphysician, and gain sufficient knowledge of error to destroy it with Truth. Evil is not resisted by evil; it can only be overcome with Good. This brings out the nothingness of evil; and eternal Somethingness vindicates Principle, and improves our present personality. We must accept the responsibility of acting rightly and uncovering iniquity.

The loyal Christian Scientist is incapable alike of abusing the practice of Mind-healing, or of healing on a material basis. Animal Magnetism has no basis. It is illusion; it is mortal mind, while Mind is immortal; it is whatever is destructive to health and morals. Our Master was led to Calvary’s cross by evil influences, and it is the function of Christian Science to uncover and cast out kindred evils.

There is no curative power in Animal Magnetism. It is a caricature of Mind. It is but the transference of thought from one erring mind to another erring mind, and mocks the divine afflatus.

If an honest Christian Scientist can be deceived into believing that only chance is at work, instead of malicious mental influence, he must rid himself of this delusion before he can heal; for it is a Delilah who would lead him into the toils of the enemy, where Cerberus (the apt symbol of Animal Magnetism) waits to devour the self-deceived and “the very elect.”

Perhaps temporarily the mental healer relieves his patients, and rejoices in the hope of freedom which he afterwards finds to be a bondage worse than disease and death.