Part 55 (2/2)

a secret mind-method, through which to effect the pur- poses of envy and malice-silence Truth? Never. They but open the eyes to the truth of Benjamin Franklin's report before the French Commissioners on Mesmerism: ”It is one more fact to be recorded in the history of the [20]

errors of the human mind.”

”The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice.”

No evidence before the material senses can close my eyes to the scientific proof that G.o.d, good, is supreme.

Though clouds are round about Him, the divine justice [25]

and judgment are enthroned. Love is especially near in times of hate, and never so near as when one can be just amid lawlessness, and render good for evil.

I thunder His law to the sinner, and sharply lighten on the cloud of the intoxicated senses. I cannot help [30]

loathing the phenomena of drunkenness produced by animality. I rebuke it wherever I see it. The vision

[Page 278.]

of the Revelator is before me. The wines of fornica- [1]

tion, envy, and hatred are the distilled spirits of evil, and are the signs of these times; but I am not dismayed, and my peace returns unto me.

Error will hate more as it realizes more the presence [5]

of its tormentor. I shall fulfil my mission, fight the good fight, and keep the faith.

There is great joy in this consciousness, that through- out my labors, and in my history as connected with the Cause of Christian Science, it can be proven that I have [10]

never given occasion for a single censure, when my mo- tives and acts are understood and seen as my Father seeth them. I once wondered at the Scriptural declara- tion that Job sinned not in all he said, even when he cursed the hour of his birth; but I have learned that a curse on [15]

sin is always a blessing to the human race.

Those only who are tried in the furnace reflect the image of their Father. You, my beloved students, who are absent from me, and have shared less of my labors than many others, seem stronger to resist temptation [20]

than some of those who have had line upon line and precept upon precept. This may be a serviceable hint, since necessities and G.o.d's providence are foreshadowed.

I have felt for some time that perpetual instruction of my students might subst.i.tute my own for their growth, [25]

and so dwarf their experience. If they must learn by the things they suffer, the sooner this lesson is gained the better.

For two years I have been gradually withdrawing from active members.h.i.+p in the Christian Scientist a.s.sociation. [30]

This has developed higher energies on the part of true followers, and led to some startling departures on the

[Page 279.]

other hand. ”Offenses will come: but woe unto him, [1]

through whom they come.”

Why does not the certainty of individual punishment for sin prevent the wrong action? It is the love of G.o.d, and not the fear of evil, that is the incentive in Science. [5]

I rejoice with those who rejoice, and am too apt to weep with those who weep, but over and above it all are eter- nal suns.h.i.+ne and joy unspeakable.

The March Primary Cla.s.s

TO THE PRIMARY CLa.s.s OF THE Ma.s.sACHUSETTS METAPHYSICAL COLLEGE, 571 COLUMBUS AVENUE, THAT a.s.sEMBLED FEB. 25, 1889, WITH AN ATTENDANCE OF SIXTY-FIVE STUDENTS

<script>