Page:Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.djvu/359

Rh instead of on Mind. Can matter, or what is termed matter, act without Mind ?

You say that certain material combinations produce disease; but if the material body causes disease, can matter cure what itself causes? Mortal mind prescribes the drug and administers it. Mortal mind plans the exercise, and puts the body through certain motions. No gastric gas accumulates, not a secretion or combination can operate, apart from the action of mortal thought.

Anatomy describes muscular action as produced by mind in one instance, and not in another. Such fallacies beset every material theory. One statement contradicts another.

The motion of the arm is no more dependent upon the direction of mortal mind, than are the action and secretions of the liver. When this mind quits the body, the liver becomes no more torpid than the hand; both are dead.

Anatomy finds a necessity for nerves, to convey the mandate of mind to muscle, and cause action; but what does anatomy say when the cords contract and become immovable? Has mortal mind ceased speaking to them; or can muscles, bones, blood, and nerves rebel against mind in one instance, and not in another, and become cramped despite the mental protest?

Does disease dispute the empire of Mind, dethrone it, and take the government into its own hands? Is sickness an aggressive, self-constituted material power, that copes astutely with Mind, and finally conquers it? Has God endowed matter with power to disable Mind, and chill harmony with a long, cold night of discord?