Editorial April 27, 1935 Issue

Mastering Mesmerism

W. Stuart Booth

Although mesmerism was first brought to the attention of men by Mesmer in Europe less than two hundred years ago, it has been practiced more or less since time began. This must have been so because human will, which is the basis of mesmerism, is inherent in the carnal or mortal mind. The history of men and nations is replete with accounts of conflict, conquest, crushing domination, and other evidences of the continual clash of human wills. Recently the practice of mesmerism has been more widely advertised and developed; it has been acclaimed as an agent for gaining personal advantage and achieving human success. A form of hypnotism is taught in schools of salesmanship, and similar methods are being employed by self-appointed leaders in national and international affairs and by others who seek to sway public thought by their radiocast mesmeric messages.

So generally have men accepted the practice of mesmerism as legitimate and even advantageous that today Christian Science stands practically alone in the repudiation and denouncement of it. After Mrs. Eddy had discovered the Science of Christianity, she verified it by healing and redemptive works. During the unfoldment of the truth in her thought she saw the pernicious nature and effect of mesmerism or animal magnetism, and so she included in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," a chapter which unmasks animal magnetism and shows why and how it should be met and mastered. Christian Science teaches that "because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be," to use Paul's words, it and its tool, mesmerism or animal magnetism, must be seen aright, repudiated, and overcome completely.

Christian Science explains the mission and message, the works and words, of Christ Jesus so simply and clearly that he is seen to be the Way-shower who can be followed literally, even as he commanded. And surely it is impossible to find a more perfect and inspiring example of subjugating the human will to the divine and thereby mastering animal magnetism than was furnished by the Master. He recognized that, while the fear of disease and death was mesmeric, it was also baseless and powerless, and so he allayed the fear of those who came to him for help, and then he healed them. Jesus knew all too well the evil nature of mesmerism, for the rulers of the Jews used this means of stirring up the people so that some who had been impressed by the works of the Master later turned upon him and joined in the cry, "Crucify him." But all the claims of evil were disproved in Christ Jesus' triumph over death and the grave.

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