Article November 26, 1910 Issue

The term malicious animal magnetism suggests the exercise...

James D. Sherwood—Texarkana, Ark.-Tex.

Texarkanian

The term malicious animal magnetism suggests the exercise of a malicious mental influence of one person over another, and such a practice is the very antithesis of the practice of Christian Science. It is the claim of the carnal mind that it exerts a mental influence by means of suggestion, but such mental action is not wholesome. Holy Writ declares "the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." On the contrary, in Christian Science practice sole reliance on the divine Mind is the universal rule, since God is understood to be the only power, the only intelligence, the only Mind; hence God is the Mind of man made in God's image. Christian Science ceaselessly enunciates the First Commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Mrs. Eddy did not originate malicious animal magnetism, as our critic contends. She exposed its falsity, however; and she has proved its powerlessness. In the text-book of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she has made it plain that any one who has an earnest desire for a knowledge of the truth of being may prove for himself the omnipotence of God and the powerlessness of evil. Some day her teachings will be more generally understood and the world will more fully acknowledge its debt of gratitude to her for her unselfish labors in behalf of sin-sick and suffering humanity.

It is generally accepted that fear, anxiety, and worry are the governing traits in the minds of mortals, taught as they are to regard evil as real and as something to be feared in almost every department of daily experience. This indicates that there is an instinctive belief in evil as a power that is able to hurt men even to the point of effecting their extinction. This universal sense of fear is the result of education. The belief of evil as able to interfere with the harmony of man is as old as any fact of history. The Bible is full of admonition against evil influences that work havoc in the affairs of men. Anciently it was believed that demons could inhabit persons, take possession of them, and induce disease, dementia, and death. It is recorded that Christ Jesus cast out devils with a word. This fact shows that the maladies were mental and that they were cast out by the truth. In like manner Christian Science is today casting out devils, evils, and is healing the sick by purely spiritual means.

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