Part 40 (1/2)
entire wisdom of the text; and this statement receives [1]
the mortal scoff only because it meets the immortal de- mands of Truth. The Science of Paul's declaration re- solves the element misnamed matter into its original sin, or human will; that will which would oppose bringing the [5]
qualities of Spirit into subjection to Spirit. Sin brought death; and death is an element of matter, or material falsity, never of Spirit.
When Jesus reproduced his body after its burial, he revealed the myth or material falsity of evil; its power- [10]
lessness to destroy good, and the omnipotence of the Mind that knows this: he also showed forth the error and nothingness of supposed life in matter, and the great somethingness of the good we possess, which is of Spirit, and immortal. [15]
Understanding this, Paul took pleasure in infirmities, for it enabled him to triumph over them,-he declared that ”the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death;” he took pleasure in ”reproaches” and ”persecutions,” because [20]
they were so many proofs that he had wrought the prob- lem of being beyond the common apprehension of sinners; he took pleasure in ”necessities,” for they tested and de- veloped latent power.
We protect our dwellings more securely after a robbery, [25]
and our jewels have been stolen; so, after losing those jewels of character,-temperance, virtue, and truth,- the young man is awakened to bar his door against further robberies.
Go to the bedside of pain, and there you can demon- [30]
strate the triumph of good that has pleasure in infirmities; because it ill.u.s.trates through the flesh the divine power
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of Spirit, and reaches the basis of all supposed miracles; [1]
whereby the sweet harmonies of Christian Science are found to correct the discords of sense, and to lift man's being into the sunlight of Soul.
”The chamber where the good man meets his fate [5]
Is privileged beyond the walks of common life, Quite on the verge of heaven.”
CHAPTER VII. POND AND PURPOSE.
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Beloved Students:-In thanking you for your [1]
gift of the pretty pond contributed to Pleasant View, in Concord, New Hamps.h.i.+re, I make no distinction be- tween my students and your students; for here, thine becomes mine through grat.i.tude and affection. [5]
From my tower window, as I look on this smile of Christian Science, this gift from my students and their students, it will always mirror their love, loyalty, and good works. Solomon saith, ”As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.” [10]
The waters that run among the valleys, and that you have coaxed in their course to call on me, have served the imagination for centuries. Theology religiously bathes in water, medicine applies it physically, hydrology handles it with so-called science, and metaphysics appro- [15]
priates it topically as type and shadow. Metaphysically, baptism serves to rebuke the senses and ill.u.s.trate Christian Science.
_First:_ The baptism of repentance is indeed a stricken state of human consciousness, wherein mortals gain [20]
severe views of themselves; a state of mind which rends the veil that hides mental deformity. Tears flood the eyes,
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agony struggles, pride rebels, and a mortal seems a [1]
monster, a dark, impenetrable cloud of error; and falling on the bended knee of prayer, humble before G.o.d, he cries, ”Save, or I perish.” Thus Truth, searching the heart, neutralizes and destroys error. [5]
This mental period is sometimes chronic, but oftener acute. It is attended throughout with doubt, hope, sorrow, joy, defeat, and triumph. When the good fight is fought, error yields up its weapons and kisses the feet of Love, while white-winged peace sings to the heart a song of [10]
angels.
_Second:_ The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the spirit of Truth cleansing from all sin; giving mortals new motives, new purposes, new affections, all pointing up- ward. This mental condition settles into strength, free- [15]
dom, deep-toned faith in G.o.d; and a marked loss of faith in evil, in human wisdom, human policy, ways, and means.