Article February 6, 1909 Issue

The world at large is ignorant of the many subtle forms...

Gray Montgomery

Pueblo (Col.) Star—Journal

The world at large is ignorant of the many subtle forms of error, but Mrs. Eddy has shown her followers how to detect its workings. She has not, however, implanted any fear of evil in their minds; she has on the contrary taught them how to overcome evil with good and thereby destroy the working of animal magnetism. Our critic is wrong to say that Christian Science has "caught and held the half—developed consciousness of the human race" by fear. It is universally recognized by all acquainted with Christian Scientists that they are a joyous, happy people, who have been brought out of much sorrow and tribulation and lifted into the sunshine of Truth by Christian Science, which has turned them to a God of infinite tender love and which has banished their fear. Animal magnetism or hypnotism is simply the wrong mental influence of one human mind over another—the operator dispossessing the subject under his mental control and placing him in a condition of mental slavery. Animal magnetism is, however, wholly devoid of power to the Christian Scientist protected by his understanding of God as all—powerful infinite Love.

Christian Science teaches that the "devil" is evil and is only an illusion, a lie without power or place. It teaches that animal magnetism has only supposititious power, and when one is freed from the belief in it by the understanding of Truth, its seeming power is destroyed. it is only the influence of the carnal mind at enmity with God....

Our critic insists that healing is "occult," The Century Dictionary defines the word "occult" as "mysterious; beyond the bounds of natural knowledge." The phenomenon of Christian healing is as natural and apparent as the disappearance of darkness before the presence of light. It is the natural result of a realization of the presence and power of God and the understanding that nothing apart from God has presence or power. The pure consciousness of perfect spiritual existence all thought of error, every fear, every disease. It is not a hidden power, unseen by the spiritual senses; it is as manifest to the Christian Science healer as is the solution of a problem in mathematics to the mathematician.

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The world at large is ignorant of the many subtle forms...

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