Article December 27, 1924 Issue

In reference to the question asked in a recent issue of...

Miss Florence B. Russell, Committee on Publication for Hampshire, England,—Bournemouth

Times and Directory,

In reference to the question asked in a recent issue of your paper, I should like to make a brief reply. The statements that nothing has reality or existence except the divine Mind and its ideas, that this Mind is perfect,—incapable of error,—and that matter, sin, and sickness are errors of mortal mind, are all correct; whereas the conclusion which your correspondent draws—that if the first and second of these propositions are true, then the third must be false—is not correct. This conclusion is followed in the letter by a correct argument that "if there is nothing in existence except the absolutely perfect divine Mind then there cannot be any mortal mind which can give origin to errors." The textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, is not a mass of disconnected maxims but is built up on the sure foundation of truth, and contains "no contradictory statements,—at least none which are apparent to those who understand its propositions well enough to pass judgment upon, them," as the author states in the textbook on page 345.

The apparent contradiction quoted above disappears as one studies with an open mind the careful explanations given in the textbook, as, for example, in the definition of "mortal mind" in the Glossary. The first phrase of this definition is, "Nothing claiming to be something" (Science and Health, p. 591). And in connection with this I will quote from "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," also by Mrs. Eddy (p. 235), "The tender mother, guided by love, faithful to her instincts, and adhering to the imperative rules of Science, asks herself: Can Iteach my child the correct numeration of numbers and never name a cipher? Knowing that she cannot do this in mathematics, she should know that it cannot be done in metaphysics, and so she should definitely name the error, uncover it, and teach truth scientifically."

Mrs. Eddy follows her own mandate, lays before the student the truths of metaphysics, uncovers to him the false belief of a so-called mortal mind,—the claim that there is matter, sin, or sickness,—in order that its nothingness may appear together with the unreality of its effects. The test of the correctness of Christian Science lies in its fruits; and it is enough to say that there are thousands who, every week at the Wednesday evening testimony meetings, testify to the fact that their unbiased study of the textbook has led to the reversal of the false claims of mortal mind, and to an increased and practical realization of the ever-presence and love of God, "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."

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