Page:The Origin of Christian Science.djvu/231

Rh in a greater or a less degree while we are in the body but it can be realized in fulness and permanency only when the spirit is released from its prison house of clay.

When Mrs. Eddy makes use of the terms salvation and regeneration, she means correct understanding, only this and nothing more. We have seen that she holds to salvation by works and since to her the only kind of works that have any value are activities of thought, the salvation she offers is obtained by thinking, thinking metaphysically, a la mathematical mode, if you please. The poor fool that cannot succeed at this is doomed to damnation. But as his condemnation is nothing more than just a continuing to be his fool-self, he need not be much disturbed. As Mrs. Eddy's salvation does not lift us very high so her damnation does not sink us very deep. Hallelujah! It is not “fire and brimstone.” It is only materiality, matter or mud tempered hot, cold or tepid just as one happens to think it is and exactly to his liking.

Mrs. Eddy says: “Through human consciousness, convince the mortal of his mistake in seeking material means for gaining happiness. Reason is the most active human faculty. Let that inform the sentiments and awaken the man's dormant sense of moral obligation, and by degrees he will learn the nothingness of the pleasures of human sense and the grandeur and bliss of a spiritual sense, which silences the material or corporeal. Then he not only will be saved, but is