Page:The Origin of Christian Science.djvu/115

Rh clearness to designate this idea by the term perfection. This is said to make it plain that at this point there is no difference in thought but only in terms between Mrs. Eddy and Spinoza. She is very loyal.

Here we should pause to notice that the author of Christian Science, the Neoplatonists and Spinoza identify four great ideas which they apply to the world; reality, eternity, perfection, beauty. We have the right to ask if this agreement is accidental. If not, the first writer only in point of time can be an original thinker.

It no doubt is a surprise to many to find that Mrs. Eddy rejects miracles. But from her view of nature she must do so as also the Neoplatonists did.

She says: “The so-called miracles of Jesus did not specially belong to a dispensation now ended;” “The good is natural and primitive. It is not miraculous to itself;” “On this spiritually scientific basis Jesus explained his cures, which appeared miraculous to outsiders;” “Miracles are impossible in Science, and here Science takes issue with popular religions.” So then what Jesus did seemed miraculous to those that looked on but it was not really so. It was not miraculous to those who had understanding. It was miraculous to the ignorant and uninitiated only.