Editorial January 17, 1942 Issue

Animal Magnetism Not Power

George Shaw Cook

It is said that the phase of animal magnetism which has come to be known as mesmerism was first brought into notice by a German, named Mesmer. He claimed that this so-called force was applicable to the treatment of human ills. However, a commission which was appointed by the French government to investigate Mesmer's claims reported as follows: "In regard to the existence and utility of animal magnetism, we have come to the unanimous conclusions that there is no proof of the existence of the animal magnetic fluid; that the violent effects, which are observed in the public practice of magnetism, are due to manipulations, or to the excitement of the imagination and the impressions made upon the senses; and that there is one more fact to be recorded in the history of the errors of the human mind, and an important experiment upon the power of the imagination."

It may be regarded as worthy of note that the type of hypnotism alleged to have been made use of by Mesmer emanated from the country in which aggressive mental suggestion as well as other forms of aggression are being used in the present time by those seeking to dominate other nations and thus to gain control of world affairs. But hypnotism is not peculiar to any particular group or nation, nor is there anything new about it. On page 103 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, says; "As named in Christian Science, animal magnetism or hypnotism is the specific term for error, or mortal mind. 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."

The different phases of animal magnetism, whether called hypnotism, mesmerism, or mental suggestion, have existed, in belief, and have been practiced to greater or lesser extent since ever there was a claim of intelligence in matter, since ever it was believed that there exists a mind apart from the one infinite divine Mind. It is comforting, however, to know, as Christian Science teaches, and as stated by Mrs. Eddy on page 102 of Science and Health, that "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."

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