Article October 16, 1971 Issue

Some Work to Do

ROSEMARY COBHAM

I feel for you when you ask what Christian Scientists mean when they talk about "handling animal magnetism." It all sounds very mysterious until one understands what animal magnetism is. Basically it is nothing, which is a comfort, because it means you aren't "handling" or destroying a reality but debunking a false belief.

Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health: "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."^{Science and Health, p. 103;}

Of course, if one believes a false belief, one is liable to its effects. That's why it's so necessary to "handle" it, see it for what it is, and so cease believing it.

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