Part 51 (1/2)
A Card
While gratefully acknowledging the public confidence manifested in daily letters that protest against receiving instruction in the Ma.s.sachusetts Metaphysical College from any other than Mrs. Eddy, I feel, deeply, that of [10]
necessity this imposes on me the severe task of remaining at present a public servant: also, that this must prevent my cla.s.ses from forming as frequently as was an- nounced in the October number of the _Journal_, and necessitates receiving but a select number of students. [15]
To meet the old impediment, lack of time, that has oc- casioned the irregular intervals between my cla.s.s terms, I shall continue to send to each applicant a notice from one to two weeks previous to the opening term.
MARY BAKER G. EDDY
Spirit And Law
We are accustomed to think and to speak of gravitation as a law of matter; while every quality of matter, in and of itself, is inert, inanimate, and non-intelligent.
The a.s.sertion that matter is a law, or a lawgiver, is [25]
anomalous. Wherever law is, Mind is; and the notion
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that Mind can be in matter is rank infidelity, which either [1]
excludes G.o.d from the universe, or includes Him in every mode and form of evil. Pantheism presupposes that G.o.d sleeps in the mineral, dreams in the animal, and wakes in a wicked man. [5]
The distinction between that which is and that which is not law, must be made by Mind and as Mind. Law is either a moral or an immoral force. The law of G.o.d is the law of Spirit, a moral and spiritual force of immor- tal and divine Mind. The so-called law of matter is an [10]
immoral force of erring mortal mind, _alias_ the minds of mortals. This so-called force, or law, at work in nature as a power, prohibition, or license, is cruel and merciless.
It punishes the innocent, and repays our best deeds with sacrifice and suffering. It is a code whose modes [15]
trifle with joy, and lead to immediate or ultimate death.
It fosters suspicion where confidence is due, fear where courage is requisite, reliance where there should be avoidance, a belief in safety where there is most danger. Our Master called it ”a murderer from the [20]
beginning.”
Electricity, governed by this so-called law, sparkles on the cloud, and strikes down the h.o.a.ry saint. Floods swallow up homes and households; and childhood, age, and manhood go down in the death-dealing wave. Earth- [25]
quakes engulf cities, churches, schools, and mortals.
Cyclones kill and destroy, desolating the green earth.
This pitiless power smites with disease the good Samari- tan ministering to his neighbor's need. Even the chamber where the good man surrenders to death is not exempt [30]
from this law. Smoothing the pillow of pain may infect you with smallpox, according to this lawless law which
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dooms man to die for loving his neighbor as himself,- [1]
when Christ has said that love is the fulfilling of the law.
Our great Ensample, Jesus of Nazareth, met and abol- ished this unrelenting false claim of matter with the [5]
righteous scorn and power of Spirit. When, through Mind, he restored sight to the blind, he figuratively and literally spat upon matter; and, anointing the wounded spirit with the great truth that G.o.d is All, he demon- strated the healing power and supremacy of the law of [10]
Life and Love.
In the spiritual Genesis of creation, all law was vested in the Lawgiver, who was a law to Himself. In divine Science, G.o.d is One and All; and, governing Himself, He governs the universe. This is the law of creation: [15]
”My defense is of G.o.d, which saveth the upright in heart.” And that infinite Mind governs all things. On this infinite Principle of freedom, G.o.d named Him- self, I AM. Error, or Adam, might give names to itself, and call Mind by the name of matter, but error could [20]
neither name nor demonstrate Spirit. The name, I AM, indicated no personality that could be paralleled with it; but it did declare a mighty individuality, even the everlasting Father, as infinite consciousness, ever-presence, omnipotence; as all law, Life, Truth, and [25]