Page:The Origin of Christian Science.djvu/166



psychology of a metaphysical system is its heart. If one thinks consistently, the laws of the mind become the standard for determining the truth and value of every principle.

Now the Neoplatonists are quite consistent. They have given to the world, as has been said, its mightiest religio-metaphysical system. And Mrs. Eddy also, barring a few glaring exceptions that will be pointed out, is reasonably consistent in her psychology. The writer would be willing to stake the truth of his whole contention upon this one chapter alone. Let it be repeated that the parallels traced out are not only of general positions which might have been accidental but of minute thoughts and ideas in detail that are logically related and interdependent. Pointing out identities of this kind between two systems is the best possible proof that one is derived from the other. There is no evidence known that is so conclusive as this, unless it be the direct confession of dependence.

The most general point of similarity between Christian Science and Neoplatonism is the view that there is one and only one infinite mind.