CHRISTIANSCIENCE

PREFACE

BOOKIofthisvolumeoccupiesaquarterorathirdofthevolume，andconsistsofmatterwrittenaboutfouryearsago，butnothithertopublishedinbookform。Itcontainederrorsofjudgmentandoffact。

Ihavenowcorrectedthesetothebestofmyabilityandlaterknowledge。

BookIIwaswrittenatthebeginningof1903，andhasnotuntilnowappearedinanyform。Initmypurposehasbeentopresentacharacter-

portraitofMrs。Eddy，drawnfromherownactsandwordssolely，notfromhearsayandrumor；andtoexplainthenatureandscopeofherMonarchy，asrevealedintheLawsbywhichshegovernsit，andwhichshewroteherself。

MARKTWAIN

NEWYORK。January，1907。

BOOKICHRISTIANSCIENCE

"Itisthefirsttimesincethedawn-daysofCreationthataVoicehasgonecrashingthroughspacewithsuchplacidandcomplacentconfidenceandcommand。"

CHAPTERI

VIENNA1899。

Thislastsummer，whenIwasonmywaybacktoViennafromtheAppetite-

Cureinthemountains，Ifelloveracliffinthetwilight，andbrokesomearmsandlegsandonethingoranother，andbygoodluckwasfoundbysomepeasantswhohadlostanass，andtheycarriedmetothenearesthabitation，whichwasoneofthoselarge，low，thatch-roofedfarm-houses，withapartmentsinthegarretforthefamily，andacunninglittleporchunderthedeepgabledecoratedwithboxesofbrightcoloredflowersandcats；onthegroundflooralargeandlightsitting-room，separatedfromthemilch-cattleapartmentbyapartition；andinthefrontyardrosestatelyandfinethewealthandprideofthehouse，themanure-pile。

ThatsentenceisGermanic，andshowsthatIamacquiringthatsortofmasteryoftheartandspiritofthelanguagewhichenablesamantotravelalldayinonesentencewithoutchangingcars。

Therewasavillageamileaway，andahorsedoctorlivedthere，buttherewasnosurgeon。Itseemedabadoutlook；minewasdistinctlyasurgerycase。ThenitwasrememberedthataladyfromBostonwassummeringinthatvillage，andshewasaChristianSciencedoctorandcouldcureanything。Soshewassentfor。Itwasnightbythistime，andshecouldnotconvenientlycome，butsentwordthatitwasnomatter，therewasnohurry，shewouldgiveme"absenttreatment"now，andcomeinthemorning；meantimeshebeggedmetomakemyselftranquilandcomfortableandrememberthattherewasnothingthematterwithme。

Ithoughttheremustbesomemistake。

"DidyoutellherIwalkedoffacliffseventy-fivefeethigh？"

"Yes。"

"Andstruckaboulderatthebottomandbounced？"

"Yes。"

"Andstruckanotheroneandbouncedagain？"

"Yes。"

"Andstruckanotheroneandbouncedyetagain？"

"Yes。"

"Andbroketheboulders？"

"Yes。"

"Thataccountsforit；sheisthinkingoftheboulders。Whydidn'tyoutellherIgothurt，too？"

"Idid。Itoldherwhatyoutoldmetotellher：thatyouwerenowbutanincoherentseriesofcompoundfracturesextendingfromyourscalp-locktoyourheels，andthatthecomminutedprojectionscausedyoutolooklikeahat-rack。"

"Anditwasafterthisthatshewishedmetorememberthattherewasnothingthematterwithme？"

"Thosewereherwords。"

"Idonotunderstandit。Ibelieveshehasnotdiagnosedthecasewithsufficientcare。Didshelooklikeapersonwhowastheorizing，ordidshelooklikeonewhohasfallenoffprecipicesherselfandbringstotheaidofabstractsciencetheconfirmationsofpersonalexperience？"

"Bitte？"

ItwastoolargeacontractfortheStubenmadchen'svocabulary；shecouldn'tcallthehand。Iallowedthesubjecttorestthere，andaskedforsomethingtoeatandsmoke，andsomethinghottodrink，andabaskettopilemylegsin；butIcouldnothaveanyofthesethings。

"Why？"

"Shesaidyouwouldneednothingatall。"

"ButIamhungryandthirsty，andindesperatepain。"

"Shesaidyouwouldhavethesedelusions，butmustpaynoattentiontothem。Shewantsyoutoparticularlyrememberthattherearenosuchthingsashungerandthirstandpain。''

"Shedoesdoesshe？"

"Itiswhatshesaid。"

Doessheseemtobeinfullandfunctionablepossessionofherintellectualplant，suchasitis？"

"Bitte？"

"Dotheyletherrunatlarge，ordotheytieherup？"

"Tieherup？"

"There，good-night，runalong，youareagoodgirl，butyourmentalGeschirrisnotarrangedforlightandairyconversation。Leavemetomydelusions。"

CHAPTERII

Itwasanightofanguish，ofcourse-atleast，Isupposeditwas，forithadallthesymptomsofit——butitpassedatlast，andtheChristianScientistcame，andIwasgladShewasmiddle-aged，andlargeandbony，anderect，andhadanausterefaceandaresolutejawandaRomanbeakandwasawidowinthethirddegree，andhernamewasFuller。Iwaseagertogettobusinessandfindrelief，butshewasdistressinglydeliberate。Sheunpinnedandunhookedanduncoupledherupholsteriesonebyone，abolishedthewrinkleswithaflirtofherhand，andhungthearticlesup；peeledoffherglovesanddisposedofthem，gotabookoutofherhand-bag，thendrewachairtothebedside，descendedintoitwithouthurry，andIhungoutmytongue。Shesaid，withpitybutwithoutpassion：

"Returnittoitsreceptacle。Wedealwiththemindonly，notwithitsdumbservants。"

Icouldnotoffermypulse，becausetheconnectionwasbroken；butshedetectedtheapologybeforeIcouldwordit，andindicatedbyanegativetiltofherheadthatthepulsewasanotherdumbservantthatshehadnousefor。ThenIthoughtIwouldtellhermysymptomsandhowIfelt，sothatshewouldunderstandthecase；butthatwasanotherinconsequence，shedidnotneedtoknowthosethings；moreover，myremarkabouthowI

feltwasanabuseoflanguage，amisapplicationofterms。

"Onedoesnotfeel，"sheexplained；"thereisnosuchthingasfeeling：

therefore，tospeakofanon-existentthingasexistentisacontradiction。Matterhasnoexistence；nothingexistsbutmind；themindcannotfeelpain，itcanonlyimagineit。"

"Butifithurts，justthesame——"

"Itdoesn't。Athingwhichisunrealcannotexercisethefunctionsofreality。Painisunreal；hence，paincannothurt。"

Inmakingasweepinggesturetoindicatetheactofshooingtheillusionofpainoutofthemind，sherakedherhandonapininherdress，said"Ouch！"andwenttranquillyonwithhertalk。"Youshouldneverallowyourselftospeakofhowyoufeel，norpermitotherstoaskyouhowyouarefeeling；youshouldneverconcedethatyouareill，norpermitotherstotalkaboutdiseaseorpainordeathorsimilarnonexistencesinyourpresence。Suchtalkonlyencouragesthemindtocontinueitsemptyimaginings。"JustatthatpointtheStuben-madchentrodonthecat'stail，andthecatletflyafrenzyofcat-profanity。Iasked，withcaution：

"Isacat'sopinionaboutpainvaluable？"

"Acathasnoopinion；opinionsproceedfrommindonly；theloweranimals，beingeternallyperishable，havenotbeengrantedmind；withoutmind，opinionisimpossible。"

"Shemerelyimaginedshefeltapain——thecat？"

"Shecannotimagineapain，forimaginingisaneffectofmind；withoutmind，thereisnoimagination。Acathasnoimagination。"

"Thenshehadarealpain？"

"Ihavealreadytoldyouthereisnosuchthingasrealpain。"

"Itisstrangeandinteresting。Idowonderwhatwasthematterwiththecat。Because，therebeingnosuchthingasarealpain，andshenotbeingabletoimagineanimaginaryone，itwouldseemthatGodinHispityhascompensatedthecatwithsomekindofamysteriousemotionusablewhenhertailistroddenonwhich，forthemoment，joinscatandChristianinonecommonbrotherhoodof——"

Shebrokeinwithanirritated——

"Peace！Thecatfeelsnothing，theChristianfeelsnothing。Youremptyandfoolishimaginingsareprofanationandblasphemy，andcandoyouaninjury。Itiswiserandbetterandholiertorecognizeandconfessthatthereisnosuchthingasdiseaseorpainordeath。"

"Iamfullofimaginarytortures，"Isaid，"butIdonotthinkIcouldbeanymoreuncomfortableiftheywererealones。WhatmustIdotogetridofthem？"

"Thereisnooccasiontogetridofthem。sincetheydonotexist。Theyareillusionspropagatedbymatter，andmatterhasnoexistence；thereisnosuchthingasmatter。"

"Itsoundsrightandclear，butyetitseemsinadegreeelusive；itseemstoslipthrough，justwhenyouthinkyouaregettingagriponit。"

"Explain。"

"Well，forinstance：ifthereisnosuchthingasmatter，howcanmatterpropagatethings？"

Inhercompassionshealmostsmiled。Shewouldhavesmilediftherewereanysuchthingasasmile。

"Itisquitesimple，"shesaid；"thefundamentalpropositionsofChristianScienceexplainit，andtheyaresummarizedinthefourfollowingself-evidentpropositions：

1。GodisAllinall。

2。Godisgood。GoodisMind3。God，Spirit，beingall，nothingismatter4。Life，God，omnipotentGood，denydeath，evil，sin，disease。

There——nowyousee。"

Itseemednebulous；itdidnotseemtosayanythingaboutthedifficultyinhand——hownon-existentmattercanpropagateillusionsIsaid，withsomehesitancy：

"Does——doesitexplain？"

"Doesn'tit？Evenifreadbackwarditwilldoit。"

Withabuddinghope，Iaskedhertodoitbackwards。

"Verywell。DiseasesinevildeathdenyGoodomnipotentGodlifematterisnothingallbeingSpiritGodMindisGoodgoodisGodallinAllisGod。Theredoyouunderstandnow？

"It——it——well，itisplainerthanitwasbefore；still——"

"Well？"

"Couldyoutryitsomemoreways？"

"Asmanyasyoulike；italwaysmeansthesame。Interchangedinanywayyoupleaseitcannotbemadetomeananythingdifferentfromwhatitmeanswhenputinanyotherway。Becauseitisperfect。Youcanjumbleitallup，anditmakesnodifference：italwayscomesoutthewayitwasbefore。Itwasamarvelousmindthatproducedit。Asamentaltourdeforceitiswithoutamate，itdefiesalikethesimple，theconcrete，andtheoccult。"

"Itseemstobeacorker。"

Iblushedfortheword，butitwasoutbeforeIcouldstopit。

"Awhat？"

"A——wonderfulstructure——combination，sotospeak，ofprofoundthoughts——

unthinkableones——um——"

Itistrue。Readbackward，orforward，orperpendicularly，oratanygivenangle，thesefourpropositionswillalwaysbefoundtoagreeinstatementandproof。"

"Ah——proof。Nowwearecomingatit。Thestatementsagree；theyagreewith——with——anyway，theyagree；Inoticedthat；butwhatisittheyproveImean，inparticular？"

"Why，nothingcouldbeclearer。Theyprove：

1。GOD——Principle，Life，Truth，Love，Soul，Spirit，Mind。Doyougetthat？"

"I——well，Iseemto。Goon，please。"

"2。MAN——God'suniversalidea，individual，perfect，eternal。Isitclear？"

"It——Ithinkso。Continue。"

"3。IDEA——AnimageinMind；theimmediateobjectofunderstanding。

Thereitis——thewholesublimeArcanaofChristianScienceinanutshell。

Doyoufindaweakplaceinitanywhere？"

"Well——no；itseemsstrong。"

"VerywellThereismore。ThosethreeconstitutetheScientificDefinitionofImmortalMind。Next，wehavetheScientificDefinitionofMortalMind。Thus。FIRSTDEGREE：DepravityI。Physical-Passionsandappetites，fear，depravedwill，pride，envy，deceit，hatred，revenge，sin，disease，death。"

"Phantasms，madam——unrealities，asIunderstandit。"

"Everyone。SECONDDEGREE：EvilDisappearing。I。Moral-Honesty，affection，compassion，hope，faith，meekness，temperance。Isitclear？"

"Crystal。"

"THIRDDEGREE：SpiritualSalvation。I。Spiritual-Faith，wisdom，power，purity，understanding，health，love。Youseehowsearchinglyandco-

ordinatelyinterdependentandanthropomorphousitallis。InthisThirdDegree，asweknowbytherevelationsofChristianScience，mortalminddisappears。"

"Notearlier？"

"No，notuntiltheteachingandpreparationfortheThirdDegreearecompleted。"

"ItisnotuntilthenthatoneisenabledtotakeholdofChristianScienceeffectively，andwiththerightsenseofsympathyandkinship，asIunderstandyou。Thatistosay，itcouldnotsucceedduringtheprocessesoftheSecondDegree，becausetherewouldstillberemainsofmindleft；andtherefore——butIinterruptedyou。YouwereabouttofurtherexplainthegoodresultsproceedingfromtheerosionsanddisintegrationseffectedbytheThirdDegree。Itisveryinteresting；

goon，please。"

"Yes，asIwassaying，inthisThirdDegreemortalminddisappears。

Sciencesoreversestheevidencebeforethecorporealhumansensesastomakethisscripturaltestimonytrueinourhearts，'thelastshallbefirstandthefirstshallbelast，'thatGodandHisideamaybetous——

whatdivinityreallyis，andmustofnecessitybeall-inclusive。"

"Itisbeautiful。AndwithwhatexhaustiveexactnessyourchoiceandarrangementofwordsconfirmandestablishwhatyouhaveclaimedforthepowersandfunctionsoftheThirdDegree。TheSecondcouldprobablyproduceonlytemporaryabsenceofmind；itisreservedtotheThirdtomakeitpermanent。AsentenceframedundertheauspicesoftheSecondcouldhaveakindofmeaning——asortofdeceptivesemblanceofit——

whereasitisonlyunderthemagicoftheThirdthatthatdefectwoulddisappear。Also，withoutdoubt，itistheThirdDegreethatcontributesanotherremarkablespecialtytoChristianScience——viz。，easeandflowandlavishnessofwords，andrhythmandswingandsmoothness。Theremustbeaspecialreasonforthis？"

"Yes——God——all，all——God，goodGod，non-Matter，Matteration，Spirit，Bones，Truth。"

"Thatexplainsit。"

"ThereisnothinginChristianSciencethatisnotexplicable；forGodisone，Timeisone，Individualityisone，andmaybeoneofaseries，oneofmany，asanindividualman，individualhorse；whereasGodisone，notoneofaseries，butonealoneandwithoutanequal。"

"Thesearenoblethoughts。Theymakeoneburntoknowmore。HowdoesChristianScienceexplainthespiritualrelationofsystematicdualitytoincidentaldeflection？"

"ChristianSciencereversestheseemingrelationofSoulandbody——asastronomyreversesthehumanperceptionofthemovementofthesolarsystem——andmakesbodytributarytotheMind。Asitistheearthwhichisinmotion，Whilethesunisatrest，thoughinviewingthesunriseonefindsitimpossibletobelievethesunnottobereallyrising，sothebodyisbutthehumbleservantoftherestfulMind，thoughitseemsotherwisetofinitesense；butweshallneverunderstandthiswhileweadmitthatsoulisinbody，ormindinmatter，andthatmanisincludedinnon-intelligence。SoulisGod，unchangeableandeternal；andmancoexistswithandreflectsSoul，fortheAll-in-allistheAltogether，andtheAltogetherembracestheAll-one，Soul-Mind，Mind-Soul，Love，Spirit，Bones，Liver，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutanequal。"

"WhatistheoriginofChristianScience？IsitagiftofGod，ordiditjusthappen？"

"Inasense，itisagiftofGod。Thatistosay，itspowersarefromHim，butthecreditofthediscoveryofthepowersandwhattheyareforisduetoanAmericanlady。"

"Indeed？Whendidthisoccur？"

"In1866。Thatistheimmortaldatewhenpainanddiseaseanddeathdisappearedfromtheearthtoreturnnomoreforever。Thatis，thefanciesforwhichthosetermsstanddisappeared。Thethingsthemselveshadneverexisted；therefore，assoonasitwasperceivedthattherewerenosuchthings，theywereeasilybanished。Thehistoryandnatureofthegreatdiscoveryaresetdowninthebookhere，and——"

"Didtheladywritethebook？"

"Yes，shewroteitall，herself。ThetitleisScienceandHealth，withKeytotheScriptures——forsheexplainstheScriptures；theywerenotunderstoodbefore。NotevenbythetwelveDisciples。Shebeginsthus——

Iwillreadittoyou。"

Butshehadforgottentobringherglasses。

"Well，itisnomatter，"shesaid。"Irememberthewords——indeed，allChristianScientistsknowthebookbyheart；itisnecessaryinourpractice。Weshouldotherwisemakemistakesanddoharm。Shebeginsthus：'Intheyear1866IdiscoveredtheScienceofMetaphysicalHealing，andnameditChristianScience。'AndShesaysquitebeautifully，Ithink——'ThroughChristianScience，religionandmedicineareinspiredwithadivinernatureandessence，freshpinionsaregiventofaithandunderstanding，andthoughtsacquaintthemselvesintelligentlywithGod。'

Herverywords。"

"Itiselegant。Anditisafinethought，too——marryingreligiontomedicine，insteadofmedicinetotheundertakerintheoldway；forreligionandmedicineproperlybelongtogether，theybeingthebasisofallspiritualandphysicalhealth。Whatkindofmedicinedoyougivefortheordinarydiseases，suchas——"

"Wenevergivemedicineinanycircumstanceswhatever！We——"

"But，madam，itsays——"

"Idon'tcarewhatitsays，andIdon'twishtotalkaboutit。"

"IamsorryifIhaveoffended，butyouseethementionseemedinsomewayinconsistent，and——"

"TherearenoinconsistenciesinChristianScience。Thethingisimpossible，fortheScienceisabsolute。Itcannotbeotherwise，sinceitproceedsdirectlyfromtheAll-in-allandtheEverything-in-Which，alsoSoul，Bones，Truth，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal。ItisMathematicspurifiedfrommaterialdrossandmadespiritual。"

"Icanseethat，but——"

"ItrestsupontheimmovablebasisofanApodicticalPrinciple。"

Thewordflatteneditselfagainstmymindintryingtogetin，anddisorderedmealittle，andbeforeIcouldinquireintoitspertinency，shewasalreadythrowingtheneededlight：

"ThisApodicticalPrincipleistheabsolutePrincipleofScientificMind-

healing，thesovereignOmnipotencewhichdeliversthechildrenofmenfrompain，disease，decay，andeveryillthatfleshisheirto。"

"Surelynoteveryill，everydecay？"

"Everyone；therearenoexceptions；thereisnosuchthingasdecay——itisanunreality，ithasnoexistence。"

"Butwithoutyourglassesyourfailingeyesightdoesnotpermityouto——"

"Myeyesightcannotfail；nothingcanfail；theMindismaster，andtheMindpermitsnoretrogression。"

ShewasundertheinspirationoftheThirdDegree，thereforetherecouldbenoprofitincontinuingthispartofthesubject。IshiftedtoothergroundandinquiredfurtherconcerningtheDiscovereroftheScience。

"Didthediscoverycomesuddenly，likeKlondike，orafterlongstudyandcalculation，likeAmerica？"

"Thecomparisonsarenotrespectful，sincetheyrefertotrivialities——

butletitpass。IwillanswerintheDiscoverer'sownwords：'Godhadbeengraciouslyfittingme，duringmanyyears，forthereceptionofafinalrevelationoftheabsolutePrincipleofScientificMind-healing。"

"Manyyears。Howmany？"

"Eighteencenturies！"

"All——God，God——good，good——God，Truth，Bones，Liver，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal——itisamazing！"

"Youmaywellsayit，sir。YetitisbutthetruthThisAmericanlady，ourreveredandsacredFounder，isdistinctlyreferredto，andhercomingprophesied，inthetwelfthchapteroftheApocalypse；shecouldnothavebeenmoreplainlyindicatedbySt。Johnwithoutactuallymentioninghername。"

"Howstrange，howwonderful！"

"Iwillquoteherownwords，fromherKeytotheScriptures：'ThetwelfthchapteroftheApocalypsehasaspecialsuggestivenessinconnectionwiththisnineteenthcentury。'There——doyounotethat？Think——noteitwell。"

"But——whatdoesitmean？"

"Listen，andyouwillknow。Iquoteherinspiredwordsagain：'IntheopeningoftheSixthSeal，typicalofsixthousandyearssinceAdam，thereisonedistinctivefeaturewhichhasspecialreferencetothepresentage。Thus：

"'Revelationxii。I。Andthereappearedagreatwonderinheaven——awomanclothedwiththesun，andthemoonunderherfeet，anduponherheadacrownoftwelvestars。'

"ThatisourHead，ourChief，ourDiscovererofChristianScience——

nothingcanbeplainer，nothingsurer。Andnotethis：

"'Revelationxii。6。Andthewomanfledintothewilderness，whereshehadaplacepreparedofGod。'

"ThatisBoston。Irecognizeit，madam。Thesearesublimethings，andimpressive；Ineverunderstoodthesepassagesbefore；pleasegoonwiththe——withthe——proofs。"

"Verywell。Listen：

"'AndIsawanothermightyangelcomedownfromheaven，clothedwithacloud；andarainbowwasuponhishead，andhisfacewasasitwerethesun，andhisfeetaspillarsoffire。Andheheldinhishandalittlebook。'

"Alittlebook，merelyalittlebook——couldwordsbemodester？Yethowstupendousitsimportance！Doyouknowwhatbookthatwas？"

"Wasit——"

"Iholditinmyhand——ChristianScience！"

"Love，Livers，Lights，Bones，Truth，Kidneys，oneofaseries，aloneandwithoutequal——itisbeyondimaginationforwonder！"

"HearourFounder'seloquentwords：'Thenwillavoicefromharmonycry，"Goandtakethelittlebook：takeitandeatitup，anditshallmakethybellybitter；butitshallbeinthymouthsweetashoney。"Mortal，obeytheheavenlyevangel。TakeupDivineScience。Readitfrombeginningtoend。Studyit，ponderit。Itwillbe，indeed，sweetatitsfirsttaste，whenithealsyou；butmurmurnotoverTruth，ifyoufinditsdigestionbitter。'YounowknowthehistoryofourdearandholyScience，sir，andthatitsoriginisnotofthisearth，butonlyitsdiscovery。Iwillleavethebookwithyouandwillgo，now；butgiveyourselfnouneasiness——IwillgiveyouabsenttreatmentfromnowtillI

gotobed。"

CHAPTERIII

Underthepowerfulinfluenceoftheneartreatmentandtheabsenttreatmenttogether，mybonesweregraduallyretreatinginwardanddisappearingfromview。Thegoodworktookabriskstart，now，andwentonswiftly。Mybodywasdiligentlystrainingandstretching，thiswayandthat，toaccommodatetheprocessesofrestoration，andeveryminuteortwoIheardadullclickinsideandknewthatthetwoendsofafracturehadbeensuccessfullyjoined。Thismuffledclickingandgrittingandgrindingandraspingcontinuedduringthenextthreehours，andthenstopped——theconnectionshadallbeenmade。Allexceptdislocations；therewereonlysevenofthese：hips，shoulders，knees，neck；sothatwassoonover；oneafteranothertheyslippedintotheirsocketswithasoundlikepullingadistantcork，andIjumpedupasgoodasnew，astoframework，andsentforthehorse-doctor。

IwasobligedtodothisbecauseIhadastomach-acheandacoldinthehead，andIwasnotwillingtotrustthesethingsanylongerinthehandsofawomanwhomIdidnotknow，andwhoseabilitytosuccessfullytreatmerediseaseIhadlostallconfidence。Mypositionwasjustifiedbythefactthatthecoldandtheachehadbeeninherchargefromthefirst，alongwiththefractures，buthadexperiencednotashadeofrelief；and，indeed，theachewasevengrowingworseandworse，andmoreandmorebitter，now，probablyonaccountoftheprotractedabstentionfromfoodanddrink。

Thehorse-doctorcame，apleasantmanandfullofhopeandprofessionalinterestinthecase。Inthematterofsmellhewasprettyaromatic——infact，quitehorsy——andItriedtoarrangewithhimforabsenttreatment，butitwasnotinhisline，so，outofdelicacy，Ididnotpressit。Helookedatmyteethandexaminedmyhock，andsaidmyageandgeneralconditionwerefavorabletoenergeticmeasures；thereforehewouldgivemesomethingtoturnthestomach-acheintothebottsandthecoldintheheadintotheblindstaggers；thenheshouldbeonhisownbeatandwouldknowwhattodo。Hemadeupabucketofbran-mash，andsaidadipperfulofiteverytwohours，alternatedwithadrenchwithturpentineandaxle-

greaseinit，wouldeitherknockmyailmentsoutofmeintwenty-fourhours，orsointerestmeinotherwaysastomakemeforgettheywereonthepremises。Headministeredmyfirstdosehimself，thentookhisleave，sayingIwasfreetoeatanddrinkanythingIpleasedandinanyquantityIliked。ButIwasnothungryanymore，anddidnotcareforfood。

ItookuptheChristianSciencebookandreadhalfofit，thentookadipperfulofdrenchandreadtheotherhalf。Theresultingexperienceswerefullofinterestandadventure。AllthroughtherumblingsandgrindingsandquakingsandeffervescingsaccompanyingtheevolutionoftheacheintothebottsandthecoldintotheblindstaggersIcouldnotethegenerousstruggleformasterygoingonbetweenthemashandthedrenchandtheliterature；andoftenIcouldtellwhichwasahead，andcouldeasilydistinguishtheliteraturefromtheotherswhentheotherswereseparate，thoughnotwhentheyweremixed；forwhenabran-mashandaneclecticdrencharemixedtogethertheylookjustliketheApodicticalPrincipleoutonalark，andnoonecantellitfromthat。Thefinishwasreachedatlast，theevolutionswerecomplete，andafinesuccess，butIthinkthatthisresultcouldhavebeenachievedwithfewermaterials。Ibelievethemashwasnecessarytotheconversionofthestomach-acheintothebotts，butIthinkonecoulddeveloptheblindstaggersoutoftheliteraturebyitself；also，thatblindstaggersproducedinthiswaywouldbeofabetterqualityandmorelastingthananyproducedbytheartificialprocessesofthehorse-doctor。

Forofallthestrangeandfranticandincomprehensibleanduninterpretablebookswhichtheimaginationofmanhascreated，surelythisoneistheprizesample。Itiswrittenwithalimitlessconfidenceandcomplacency，andwithadashandstirandearnestnesswhichoftencompeltheeffectsofeloquence，evenwhenthewordsdonotseemtohaveanytraceablemeaning。Thereareplentyofpeoplewhoimaginetheyunderstandthebook；Iknowthis，forIhavetalkedwiththem；butinallcasestheywerepeoplewhoalsoimaginedthattherewerenosuchthingsaspain，sickness，anddeath，andnorealitiesintheworld；nothingactuallyexistentbutMind。Itseemstometomodifythevalueoftheirtestimony。WhenthesepeopletalkaboutChristianSciencetheydoasMrs。Fullerdid：theydonotusetheirownlanguage，butthebook's；theypouroutthebook'sshowyincoherences，andleaveyoutofindoutlaterthattheywerenotoriginating，butmerelyquoting；theyseemtoknowthevolumebyheart，andtorevereitastheywouldaBible——anotherBible，perhapsIoughttosay。PlainlythebookwaswrittenunderthementaldesolationsoftheThirdDegree，andIfeelsurethatnonebutthemembershipofthatDegreecandiscovermeaningsinit。Whenyoureadityouseemtobelisteningtoalivelyandaggressiveandoracularspeechdeliveredinanunknowntongue，aspeechwhosespirityougetbutnottheparticulars；or，tochangethefigure，youseemtobelisteningtoavigorousinstrumentwhichismakinganoisewhichitthinksisatune，butwhich，topersonsnotmembersoftheband，isonlythemartialtootingofatrombone，andmerrilystirsthesoulthroughthenoise，butdoesnotconveyameaning。

Thebook'sserenitiesofself-satisfactiondoalmostseemtosmackofaheavenlyorigin——theyhavenoblood-kinintheearth。Itismorethanhumantobesoplacidlycertainaboutthings，andsofinelysuperior，andsoairilycontentwithone'sperformance。WithouteverpresentinganythingwhichmayrightfullybecalledbythestrongnameofEvidence，andsometimeswithoutevenmentioningareasonforadeductionatall，itthundersoutthestartlingwords，"IhaveProved"soandso。IttakesthePopeandallthegreatgunsofhisChurchinbatteryassembledtoauthoritativelysettleandestablishthemeaningofasoleandsingleunclarifiedpassageofScripture，andthisatvastcostoftimeandstudyandreflection，buttheauthorofthisworkissuperiortoallthat：shefindsthewholeBibleinanunclarifiedaudition，andatsmallexpenseoftimeandnoexpenseofmentaleffortsheclarifiesitfromlidtolid，reorganizesandimprovesthemeanings，thenauthoritativelysettlesandestablishesthemwithformulaswhichyoucannottellfrom"Lettherebelight！"and"Hereyouhaveit！"Itisthefirsttimesincethedawn-daysofCreationthataVoicehasgonecrashingthroughspacewithsuchplacidandcomplacentconfidenceandcommand。

[January，1903。Thefirstreadingofanybookwhoseterminologyisnewandstrangeisnearlysuretoleavethereaderinabewilderedandsarcasticstateofmind。Butnowthat，duringthepasttwomonths，I

have，bydiligencegainedafairacquaintanceshipwithScienceandHealthtechnicalities，Inolongerfindthebulkofthatworkhardtounderstand。——M。T。]

P。S。Thewisdomharvestedfromtheforegoingthoughtshasalreadydonemeaserviceandsavedmeasorrow。NearlyamonthagotherecametomefromoneoftheuniversitiesatractbyDr。EdwardAnthonySpitzkaonthe"EncephalicAnatomyoftheRaces。"Ijudgedthatmyopinionwasdesiredbytheuniversity，andIwasgreatlypleasedwiththisattentionandwroteandsaidIwouldfurnishitassoonasIcould。ThatnightI

putmyploddinganddishearteningChristianScienceminingasideandtookholdofthematter。Iwroteaneagerchapter，andwasexpectingtofinishmyopinionthenextday，butwascalledawayforaweek，andmymindwassoonchargedwithotherinterests。Itwasnotuntilto-day，afterthelapseofnearlyamonth，thatIhappeneduponmyEncephalicchapteragain。Meantime，thenewwisdomhadcometome，andIreaditwithshame。IrecognizedthatIhadentereduponthatworkinfarfromtherighttemper——farfromtherespectfulandjudicialspiritwhichwasitsdueofreverence。Ihadbegunuponitwiththefollowingparagraphforfuel：

"FISSURESOFTHEPARIETALANDOCCIPITALLOBES（LATERALSURFACE）。——ThePostcentralFissuralComplex——Inthishemicerebrum，thepostcentralandsubcentralarecombinedtoformacontinuousfissure，attainingalengthof8。5cm。Dorsally，thefissurebifurcates，embracingthegyreindentedbythecaudallimboftheparacentral。Thecaudallimbofthepostcentralisjoinedbyatransparietalpiece。Inall，fiveadditionalramispringfromthecombinedfissure。Avadumseparatesitfromtheparietal；anotherfromthecentral。"

Ithumiliatesme，now，toseehowangryIgotoverthat；andhowscornful。Isaidthatthestylewasdisgraceful；thatitwaslaboredandtumultuous，andinplacesviolent，thatthetreatmentwasinvolvedanderratic，andalmost，asarule，bewildering；thattolackofsimplicitywasaddedalackofvocabulary；thattherewasquitetoomuchfeelingshown；thatifIhadadogthatwouldgetsoexcitedandincoherentoveratranquilsubjectlikeEncephalicAnatomyIwouldnotpayhistax；andatthatpointIgotexcitedmyselfandspokebitterlyofthesemongrelinsanities，andsaidapersonmightaswelltrytounderstandScienceandHealth。

[Iknow，now，wherethetroublewas，andamgladoftheinterruptionthatsavedmefromsendingmyverdicttotheuniversity。Itmakesmecoldtothinkwhatthosepeoplemighthavethoughtofme。——M。T。]

CHAPTERIV

Noonedoubts——certainlynotI——thatthemindexercisesapowerfulinfluenceoverthebody。Fromthebeginningoftime，thesorcerer，theinterpreterofdreams，thefortune-teller，thecharlatan，thequack，thewildmedicine-man，theeducatedphysician，themesmerist，andthehypnotisthavemadeuseoftheclient'simaginationtohelpthemintheirwork。Theyhaveallrecognizedthepotencyandavailabilityofthatforce。Physicianscuremanypatientswithabreadpill；theyknowthatwherethediseaseisonlyafancy，thepatient'sconfidenceinthedoctorwillmakethebreadpilleffective。

Faithinthedoctor。Perhapsthatistheentirething。Itseemstolooklikeit。InoldtimestheKingcuredtheking'sevilbythetouchoftheroyalhand。Hefrequentlymadeextraordinarycures。Couldhisfootmanhavedoneit？No——notinhisownclothes。DisguisedastheKing，couldhehavedoneit？Ithinkwemaynotdoubtit。IthinkwemayfeelsurethatitwasnottheKing'stouchthatmadethecureinanyinstance，butthepatient'sfaithintheefficacyofaKing'stouch。Genuineandremarkablecureshavebeenachievedthroughcontactwiththerelicsofasaint。Isitnotlikelythatanyotherboneswouldhavedoneaswellifthesubstitutionhadbeenconcealedfromthepatient？WhenIwasaboyafarmer'swifewholivedfivemilesfromourvillagehadgreatfameasafaith-doctor——thatwaswhatshecalledherself。Suffererscametoherfromallaround，andshelaidherhanduponthemandsaid，"Havefaith——

itisallthatisnecessary，"andtheywentawaywelloftheirailments。

Shewasnotareligiouswoman，andpretendedtonooccultpowers。Shesaidthatthepatient'sfaithinherdidthework。SeveraltimesIsawhermakeimmediatecuresofseveretoothaches。Mymotherwasthepatient。InAustriathereisapeasantwhodrivesagreattradeinthissortofindustry，andhasboththehighandthelowforpatients。Hegetsintoprisoneverynowandthenforpractisingwithoutadiploma，buthisbusinessisasbriskaseverwhenhegetsout，forhisworkisunquestionablysuccessfulandkeepshisreputationhigh。InBavariathereisamanwhoperformedsomanygreatcuresthathehadtoretirefromhisprofessionofstage-carpenteringinordertomeetthedemandofhisconstantlyincreasingbodyofcustomers。Hegoesonfromyeartoyeardoinghismiracles，andhasbecomeveryrich。Hepretendstonoreligioushelps，nosupernaturalaids，butthinksthereissomethinginhismake-upwhichinspirestheconfidenceofhispatients，andthatitisthisconfidencewhichdoesthework，andnotsomemysteriouspowerissuingfromhimself。

Withinthelastquarterofacentury，inAmerica，severalsectsofcurershaveappearedundervariousnamesandhavedonenotablethingsinthewayofhealingailmentswithouttheuseofmedicines。TherearetheMindCuretheFaithCure，thePrayerCure，theMentalScienceCure，andtheChristian-ScienceCure；andapparentlytheyalldotheirmiracleswiththesameold，powerfulinstrument——thepatient'simagination。Differingnames，butnodifferenceintheprocess。Buttheydonotgivethatinstrumentthecredit；eachsectclaimsthatitswaydiffersfromthewaysoftheothers。

Theyallachievesomecures，thereisnoquestionaboutit；andtheFaithCureandthePrayerCureprobablydonoharmwhentheydonogood，sincetheydonotforbidthepatienttohelpoutthecurewithmedicinesifhewantsto；buttheothersbarmedicines，andclaimabilitytocureeveryconceivablehumanailmentthroughtheapplicationoftheirmentalforcesalone。Therewouldseemtobeanelementofdangerhere。Ithasthelookofclaimingtoomuch，Ithink。Publicconfidencewouldprobablybeincreasediflesswereclaimed。

TheChristianScientistwasnotabletocuremystomach-acheandmycold；

butthehorse-doctordidit。ThisconvincesmethatChristianScienceclaimstoomuch。Inmyopinionitoughttoletdiseasesaloneandconfineitselftosurgery。Thereitwouldhaveeverythingitsownway。

Thehorse-doctorchargedmethirtykreutzers，andIpaidhim；infact，I

doubleditandgavehimashilling。Mrs。Fullerbroughtinanitemizedbillforacrateofbrokenbonesmendedintwohundredandthirty-fourplaces——onedollarperfracture。

"NothingexistsbutMind？"

"Nothing，"sheanswered。"Allelseissubstanceless，allelseisimaginary。"

Igaveheranimaginarycheck，andnowsheissuingmeforsubstantialdollars。Itlooksinconsistent。

CHAPTERV

Letusconsiderthatweareallpartiallyinsane。Itwillexplainustoeachother；itwillunriddlemanyriddles；itwillmakeclearandsimplemanythingswhichareinvolvedinhauntingandharassingdifficultiesandobscuritiesnow。

Thoseofuswhoarenotintheasylum，andnotdemonstrablyduethere，arenevertheless，nodoubt，insaneinoneortwoparticulars。Ithinkwemustadmitthis；butIthinkthatweareotherwisehealthy-minded。I

thinkthatwhenweallseeonethingalike，itisevidencethat，asregardsthatonething，ourmindsareperfectlysound。Nowtherearereallyseveralthingswhichwedoallseealike；thingswhichweallaccept，andaboutwhichwedonotdispute。Forinstance，wewhoareoutsideoftheasylumallagreethatwaterseeksitslevel；thatthesungiveslightandheat；thatfireconsumes；thatfogisdamp；thatsixtimessixarethirty-six，thattwofromtenleaveseight；thateightandsevenarefifteen。Theseare，perhaps，theonlythingsweareagreedabout；but，althoughtheyaresofew，theyareofinestimablevalue，becausetheymakeaninfalliblestandardofsanity。Whosoeveracceptsthemhimweknowtobesubstantiallysane；sufficientlysane；intheworkingessentials，sane。Whoeverdisputesasingleoneofthemhimweknowtobewhollyinsane，andqualifiedfortheasylum。

Verywell，themanwhodisputesnoneofthemweconcedetobeentitledtogoatlarge。Butthatisconcessionenough。Wecannotgoanyfurtherthanthat；forweknowthatinallmattersofmereopinionthatsamemanisinsane——justasinsaneasweare；justasinsaneasShakespearewas。

Weknowexactlywheretoputourfingeruponhisinsanity：itiswherehisopiniondiffersfromours。

Thatisasimplerule，andeasytoremember。WhenI，athoughtfulandunblessedPresbyterian，examinetheKoran，IknowthatbeyondanyquestioneveryMohammedanisinsane；notinallthings，butinreligiousmatters。WhenathoughtfulandunblessedMohammedanexaminestheWestminsterCatechism，heknowsthatbeyondanyquestionIamspirituallyinsane。Icannotprovetohimthatheisinsane，becauseyounevercanproveanythingtoalunatic——forthatisapartofhisinsanityandtheevidenceofit。HecannotprovetomethatIaminsane，formymindhasthesamedefectthatafflictshis。AllDemocratsareinsane，butnotoneofthemknowsit；nonebuttheRepublicansandMugwumpsknowit。AlltheRepublicansareinsane，butonlytheDemocratsandMugwumpscanperceiveit。Theruleisperfect：inallmattersofopinionouradversariesareinsane。WhenIlookaroundme，Iamoftentroubledtoseehowmanypeoplearemad。Tomentiononlyafew：

TheAtheist，TheTheosophists，TheInfidel，TheSwedenborgians，TheAgnostic，TheShakers，TheBaptist，TheMillerites，TheMethodist，TheMormons，TheChristianScientist，TheLaurenceOliphantHarrisites，TheCatholic，andthe115Christiansects，thePresbyterianexcepted，TheGrandLama'speople，TheMonarchists，TheImperialists，The72Mohammedansects，TheDemocrats，TheRepublicans（butnottheMugwumps），TheBuddhist，TheBlavatsky-Buddhist，TheMind-Curists，TheFaith-Curists，TheNationalist，TheMentalScientists，TheConfucian，TheSpiritualist，TheAllopaths，The2000EastIndiansects，TheHomeopaths，TheElectropaths，ThePeculiarPeople，The————

Butthere'snoendtothelist；therearemillionsofthem！Andallinsane；eachinhisownway；insaneastohispetfadoropinion，butotherwisesaneandrational。Thisshouldmoveustobecharitabletowardsoneanother'slunacies。IrecognizethatinhisspecialbelieftheChristianScientistisinsane，becausehedoesnotbelieveasIdo；

butIhailhimasmymateandfellow，becauseIamasinsaneasheinsanefromhispointofview，andhispointofviewisasauthoritativeasmineandworthasmuch。Thatistosay，worthabrassfarthing。Uponagreatreligiousorpoliticalquestion，theopinionofthedullestheadintheworldisworththesameastheopinionofthebrightestheadintheworld——abrassfarthing。Howdowearriveatthis？Itissimple。Theaffirmativeopinionofastupidmanisneutralizedbythenegativeopinionofhisstupidneighbornodecisionisreached；theaffirmativeopinionoftheintellectualgiantGladstoneisneutralizedbythenegativeopinionoftheintellectualgiantNewman——nodecisionisreached。Opinionsthatprovenothingare，ofcourse，withoutvalueanybutadeadpersonknowsthatmuch。Thisobligesustoadmitthetruthoftheunpalatablepropositionjustmentionedabove——that，indisputedmatterspoliticalandreligious，oneman'sopinionisworthnomorethanhispeer's，andhenceitfollowersthatnoman'sopinionpossessesanyrealvalue。Itisahumblingthought，butthereisnowaytogetaroundit：allopinionsuponthesegreatsubjectsarebrass-farthingopinions。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读