Miscellaneous Writings Part 52

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Again: evil, as _mind_, is doomed, already sentenced, [1]

punished; for suffering is commensurate with evil, and lasts as long as the evil. As _mind_, evil finds no escape from itself; and the sin and suffering it occasions can only be removed by reformation. [5]

According to divine law, sin and suffering are not cancelled by repentance or pardon. Christian Science not only elucidates but demonstrates this verity of be- ing; namely, that mortals suffer from the wrong they commit, whether intentionally or ignorantly; that every [10]

effect and amplification of wrong will revert to the wrong- doer, until he pays his full debt to divine law, and the measure he has meted is measured to him again, full, pressed down, and running over. Surely "the way of the transgressor is hard." [15]

In this law of justice, the atonement of Christ loses no efficacy. Justice is the handmaid of mercy, and show- eth mercy by punis.h.i.+ng sin. Jesus said, "I came not to destroy the law,"-the divine requirements typified in the law of Moses,-"but to fulfil it" in righteousness, [20]

by Truth's destroying error. No greater type of divine Love can be presented than effecting so glorious a purpose.

This spirit of sacrifice always has saved, and still saves mankind; but by mankind I mean mortals, or a kind of men after man's own making. Man as G.o.d's idea [25]

is already saved with an everlasting salvation. It is impossible to be a Christian Scientist without apprehend- ing the moral law so clearly that, for conscience' sake, one will either abandon his claim to even a knowledge of this Science, or else make the claim valid. All Science [30]

is divine. Then, to be Science, it must produce physical and moral harmony.

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Dear readers, our _Journal_ is designed to bring health [1]

and happiness to all households wherein it is permitted to enter, and to confer increased power to be good and to do good. If you wish to brighten so pure a purpose, you will aid our prospect of fulfilling it by your kind [5]

patronage of _The Christian Science Journal_, now enter- ing upon its fifth volume, clad in Truth-healing's new and costly spring dress.

Heart To Heart

When the heart speaks, however simple the words, [10]

its language is always acceptable to those who have hearts.

I just want to say, I thank you, my dear students, who are at work conscientiously and a.s.siduously, for the good you are doing. I am grateful to you for giving to the [15]

sick relief from pain; for giving joy to the suffering and hope to the disconsolate; for lifting the fallen and strength- ening the weak, and encouraging the heart grown faint with hope deferred. We are made glad by the divine Love which looseth the chains of sickness and sin, open- [20]

ing the prison doors to such as are bound; and we should be more grateful than words can express, even through this white-winged messenger, our _Journal_.

With all the homage beneath the skies, yet were our burdens heavy but for the Christ-love that makes them [25]

light and renders the yoke easy. Having his word, you have little need of words of approval and encouragement from me. Perhaps it is even selfish in me sometimes to relieve my heart of its secrets, because I take so much

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pleasure in thus doing; but if my motives are sinister, [1]

they will harm myself only, and I shall have the unself- ish joy of knowing that the wrong motives are not yours, to react on yourselves.

These two words in Scripture suggest the sweetest [5]

similes to be found in any language-_rock_ and _feathers_: "Upon this rock I will build my church;" "He shall cover thee with His feathers." How blessed it is to think of you as "beneath the shadow of a great rock in a weary land," safe in His strength, building on His [10]

foundation, and covered from the devourer by divine protection and affection. Always bear in mind that His presence, power, and peace meet all human needs and reflect all bliss.

Things To Be Thought Of

The need of their teacher's counsel, felt by students, [16]

especially by those at a distance, working a.s.siduously for our common Cause,-and their constant pet.i.tions for the same, should be met in the most effectual way.

To be responsible for supplying this want, and poise [20]

the wavering balance on the right side, is impracticable without a full knowledge of the environments. The educational system of Christian Science lacks the aid and protection of State laws. The Science is hampered by immature demonstrations, by the infancy of its dis- [25]

covery, by incorrect teaching; and especially by unprin- cipled claimants, whose mad ambition drives them to appropriate my ideas and discovery, without credit, ap- preciation, or a single original conception, while they

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quote from other authors and give them credit for every [1]

random thought in line with mine.

My n.o.ble students, who are loyal to Christ, Truth, and human obligations, will not be disheartened in the midst of this seething sea of sin. They build for time and eter- [5]

nity. The others stumble over misdeeds, and their own unsubstantiality, without the groundwork of right, till, like camera shadows thrown upon the mists of time, they melt into darkness.

Unity is the essential nature of Christian Science. Its [10]

Principle is One, and to demonstrate the divine One, demands oneness of thought and action.

Many students enter the Normal cla.s.s of my College whom I have not fitted for it by the Primary course.

They are taught their first lessons by my students; hence [15]

the aptness to a.s.similate pure and abstract Science is somewhat untested.

"As the twig is bent, the tree's inclined." As mortal mind is directed, it acts for a season. Some students leave my instructions before they are quite free from [20]

the bias of their first impressions, whether those be cor- rect or incorrect. Such students are more or less subject to the future mental influence of their former teacher.

Their knowledge of Mind-healing may be right theo- retically, but the moral and spiritual status of thought [25]

must be right also. The tone of the teacher's mind must be pure, grand, true, to aid the mental development of the student; for the tint of the instructor's mind must take its hue from the divine Mind. A single mistake in metaphysics, or in ethics, is more fatal than a mistake in [30]

physics.

If a teacher of Christian Science unwittingly or inten-

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tionally offers his own thought, and gives me as authority [1]

for it; if he diverges from Science and knows it not, or, knowing it, makes the venture from vanity, in order to be thought original, or wiser than somebody else,-this divergence widens. He grows dark, and cannot regain, [5]

at will, an upright understanding. This error in the teacher also predisposes his students to make mistakes and lose their way. Diverse opinions in Science are stultifying. All must have _one_ Principle and the same rule; and all _who follow the Principle and rule_ have but [10]

one opinion of it.

Whosoever understands a single rule in Science, and demonstrates its Principle according to rule, is master of the situation. n.o.body can gainsay this. The ego- tistical theorist or shallow moralist may presume to [15]

make innovations upon simple proof; but his mistake is visited upon himself and his students, whose minds are, must be, disturbed by this discord, which extends along the whole line of reciprocal thought. An error in premise can never bring forth the real fruits of Truth. [20]

After thoroughly explaining spiritual Truth and its ethics to a student, I am not morally responsible for the mis- statements or misconduct of this student. My teachings are uniform. Those who abide by them do well. If others, who receive the same instruction, do ill, the fault [25]

is not in the culture but the soil.

I am constantly called to settle questions and disaf- fections toward Christian Science growing out of the departures from Science of self-satisfied, unprincipled students. If impatient of the loving rebuke, the stu- [30]

dent must stop at the foot of the grand ascent, and there remain until suffering compels the downfall of his self-

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conceit. Then that student must struggle up, with bleed- [1]