CHRISTIAN SCIENCE. The principles known as "Christian Science" were formulated and developed by Mary Baker G. Eddy. She was led to the discovery of her system in 1866, but her first pamphlet on Christian Science did not appear in print until 1876, though it had been copyrighted in 1870. She says she " had learned that this Science must be demonstrated by healing, before a work on the subject could be profitably studied." The text-book of Christian Science is called " Science and Health," and the first edition was published in 1875. The founder of Christian Science started the first school of Christian Science Mind-healing in Massachusetts about the year 1867 with only one student. In 1881 she opened the Massachusetts Metaphysical College in Boston, under the seal of the Commonwealth. She also acted as Pastor of the first established Church of Christ. Scientist; as President of the first Christian Scientist Association; and as sole editor and publisher of " The Christian Science Journal." During seven years over four thousand persons studied under her in her College. On October ISS9 she closed her College in order to devote all her energies for a time to the revision of the book " Science and Health." The new edition was published in 1891, and the College was re-opened in 1899. A great number of people state that by reading Mary Baker G. Eddy's book they have not only been convinced of the truth of Christian Science, but have also been reformed and healed of various diseases. It is stated (in the form of testimonies) that these diseases have included cancer, fibroid tumor, epilepsy, cataract, heart disease, gastric catarrh, sciatic rheumatism, Bright's disease, deafness, consumption, insanity, etc. Such cures have been effected. it is claimed, not by ordinary mental science, but by Divine Science. " If God, the All-in-All, be the creator of the spiritual universe, including man, then everything entitled to a classification as truth, or science, must be comprised in a knowledge or understanding of God, for there can be nothing beyond illimitable divinity." The author of " Science and Health " uses the terms Divine Science, Spiritual Science. Christ Science, Christian Science, or Science alone, interchangeably. " These synonymous terms stand for everything relating to God, the infinite, supreme, eternal Mind. It may be said, however, that the term Christian Science reveals God, not as the author of sin, sickness; and death, but as Divine Principle, Supreme Being, Mind, exempt from all evil. It teaches that matter is the falsity, not the fact, of existence; that nerves, brain, stomach, lungs, and so forth, have—as matter—no intelligence, life, nor sensa tion." Disease and evil are the offspring of mortal
mind. " Science [Christian Science] not only reveals the origin of all disease as mental, but It also declares that all disease is cured by divine Mind. There can be no healing except by this Mind, however much we trust a drug or any other means towards which human faith or endeavour is directed. It is mortal mind, not matter, which brings to the sick whatever good they may seem to receive from drugs. But the sick are never really healed except by means of the divine power. Only the action of Truth, Life, and Love can give harmony." There is one basis for all sickness. " Human mind pro duces what is termed organic disease as certainly as it produces hysteria, and it must relinquish all its errors, sicknesses, and sins. I have demonstrated this beyond all cavil. The evidence of divine Mind's healing power and absolute control is to me as certain as the evidence of my own existence." There is really no pain in matter " Be firm in your understanding that the divine Mind governs, and that in Science [Christian Science] man reflects God's government. Have no fear that matter can ache, swell, and be inflamed as the result of a law of any kind, when it is self-evident that matter can have no pain nor inflammation. Your body would suffer no more from tension or wounds than the trunk of a tree which you gash or the electric wire which you stretch, were it not for mortal mind." As regards surgery, Mrs. Eddy writes as follows : " Until the advancing age admits the efficacy and supremacy of Mind, it is better for Christian Scientists to leave surgery and the adjustment of broken bones and dislocations to the fingers of a surgeon, while the mental healer confines himself chiefly to mental reconstruction and to the prevention of in flammation. Christian Science is always the most skil ful surgeon, but surgery is the branch of its healing which will be last acknowledged. However, it is but just to say that the author has already in her possession well-authenticated records of the cure, by herself and her students through mental surgery alone, of broken bones, dislocated joints and spinal vertebrae." The Christian Science form of Service is simple but impres sive. There is no sermon or address. Passages from the Bible with corresponding sections in " Science and Health " are read, and are allowed to speak for them selves. See Mary Baker G. Eddy, Science and Health, With Key to the Scriptures, 1907.