Article December 10, 1910 Issue

The false claim of evil or error has existed contemporaneously...

Willis D. McKinstry

Topeka (Kan.) Capital

The false claim of evil or error has existed contemporaneously with mortal man, and the term mesmerism or animal magnetism was used for almost a century before Mrs. Eddy discovered Christian Science. She says in Science and Health (the text-book of Christian Science) on page 102: "Animal magnetism has no scientific foundation, for God governs all that is real, harmonious, and eternal, and His power is neither animal nor human. Its basis being a belief, and this belief animal, in Science animal magnetism, mesmerism, or hypnotism is a mere negation, possessing neither intelligence, power, nor reality, and in sense it is an unreal concept of the so-called mortal mind." In Christian Science, animal magnetism is a term used to define error, or evil, in its every phase. Christian Science does not ignore the claim of malicious animal magnetism. It is recognized as the operation of erring mortal mind or human will. It is unreal because it is without basis or law; therefore it can be overcome and destroyed and mankind saved from its claim of evil influence.

It would be absurd for one to claim that frost is the origin of fire, or that darkness is the source of light; so it is equally absurd to say that malicious animal magnetism has its origin in or is akin to Christian Science. Christian Science imparts to mankind the fact that God is Mind; as there is but one God, there can be but one Mind. This one Mind is good and all inclusive, therefore it includes the universe. This one Mind being infinite extends into immensity, having no boundary nor frontier; therefore evil or its claim has no abiding-place in or outside of divine Mind.

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