Page:The Origin of Christian Science.djvu/226

218 We are concerned with what has reality, namely, the bones and nothing more.” This would be indeed a very convenient simplification of the subject of physiology. It is a good illustration of how the Neoplatonists and Mrs. Eddy dispose of human nature. Their system enables us to cast out with the calm countenance of superior wisdom, as rubbish for the scrap pile, all the perplexing problems of life and conduct; that is, it does so, after once we solve the difficult problem of getting their standpoint.

We will first notice briefly certain moral qualities as illustrations of the view that virtue is simply intellectuality and vice simply the want of it.

For the first example consider temperance. One is temperate or has self-control in so far as he has understanding. Intemperance is a lack of understanding.

Speaking of instances of reformation from “intemperance,” “tobacco using” and so forth, Mrs. Eddy says: “All this is accomplished by the grace of God&emsp;*&emsp;*&emsp;*&emsp;the effect of God understood.” It is true that she classifies temperance with “transitional qualities” between “unreality” and “reality”; but she is to be understood in that case as conceiving that temperance indicates a degree of intellectuality in one who has not yet fully escaped from the “physical” and