Page:Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.djvu/546

534 I cling to the Tree of Knowledge, because it is matter that clings to me. This is my motto: “A material sense, which can take do cognizance of Spirit, or God, is quite as essential to man as the spiritual sense, that unites him to God.”

My third statement is, that a deep sleep fell upon mortal man, in which a belief of self-mesmerism appeared as the basis of generation; that mortal man dreamed that a woman proceeded from him; and that in turn this woman believed that man proceeded from her. Thus error culminated in a family broil, which lost Eden and the Truth of Being, and Deity disappeared as the Father of mankind.

I was the first to introduce the term Evil. I wish that term to be understood as a factor of theology, instead of mythology. I wish it thought that evil is as real as good, and that the conversation of a snake was as important in the origin of man as the utterance of Jehovah, “Let us make man.” (Gen. i. 26.)

I wish it to be understood also that I have endowed matter with conversational powers: a nerve to report that it is pleased or pained; an eye to say that it is blind; a limb to declare that it cannot walk; the head to assert that it has lost its mind.

All this may seem feasible, since the personal or material senses can take no cognizance of God; for the clay shall reply to the potter; and error, in the name of Truth, shall establish my kingdom in matter.

A symbol of Divine Science; purity and peace; hope and faith.

Nothingness; the want of Substance, Life, or Intelligence.

Not organs of the so-called material and personal senses, but spiritual understanding.

Jesus said, referring to spiritual perception, “Having ears, hear ye not?” (Mark viii. 18.)