Editorial August 28, 1915 Issue

Only One Mind

Archibald McLellan

Every Christian Scientist is familiar with the fundamental reason for the hope that is in him, namely, "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation" (Science and Health, p. 468), and that this infinite Mind—God, good—alone governs. While he is always ready to give this reason to "every man that asketh," nevertheless a popular but mistaken belief regarding this religion is that it is one and the same with mental suggestion and that it is used simply to bring about the personal desires of those who have become its adherents. The fact is that Christian Science has nothing in common with mental suggestion and that its sole use and purpose is to bring to humanity that understanding of God which reveals divine law, frees all human and personal desires from selfishness and will-power, and brings mankind under the control and guidance of God's law; in brief, that knowledge of "the only true God," divine Mind, which Christ Jesus declared is life eternal.

Closely related to this mistaken concept of Christian Science is a somewhat similar one, which is the supposition that the practice of this religion includes something called "animal magnetism," a supposed mental force which Christian Scientists are alleged to make use of to the detriment of other persons. The truth is that simply for the sake of convenience Mrs. Eddy has classified all erroneous beliefs under this one term; for instance, on page 484 of Science and Health she writes, "Animal magnetism is the voluntary or involuntary action of error in all its forms." Again, as showing the powerlessness and unreality of this aggregation of erroneous beliefs, she also writes on pages 102 and 103 of the same book: "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. ... It is the false belief that mind is in matter, and is both evil and good; that evil is as real as good and more powerful. This belief has not one quality of Truth."

We would reiterate, therefore, that the whole purpose of Christian Science—and this is proved by its works—is to bring to mankind the full knowledge of God, good, and His creation, and thus to bring about the destruction of all evil. Those who believe or profess to believe that animal magnetism is allied with this system or is a part of its practice, simply show that they have not comprehended Mrs. Eddy's teachings. They are as inconsistent in the face of what Christian Science is doing for the regeneration of humanity as are those who believe that the use of evil is permissible or efficacious in an effort to do good. Throughout Mrs. Eddy's writings she constantly exhorts Christian Scientists to abstain from all evil beliefs and evil practices, and on page 450 of Science and Health she describes the mission of her followers in these words: "The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome them by understanding their nothingness and the allness of God, or good. Sickness to him is no less a temptation than is sin, and he heals them both by understanding God's power over them. The Christian Scientist knows that they are errors of belief, which Truth can and will destroy."

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