Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896 Part 45

as David taught: "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."

The confidence of mankind in contagious disease would [20]

thus become beautifully less; and in the same propor- tion would faith in the power of G.o.d to heal and to save mankind increase, until the whole human race would become healthier, holier, happier, and longer lived. A calm, Christian state of mind is a better preventive of [25]

contagion than a drug, or than any other possible sana- tive method; and the "perfect Love" that "casteth out fear" is a sure defense.

[Page 230.]

Improve Your Time

Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon [1]

the improvement of moments more than upon any other one thing. A great amount of time is consumed in talking nothing, doing nothing, and indecision as to what one should do. If one would be successful in the future, let [5]

him make the most of the present.

Three ways of wasting time, one of which is con- temptible, are gossiping mischief, making lingering calls, and mere motion when at work, thinking of nothing or [10]

planning for some amus.e.m.e.nt,-travel of limb more than mind. Rus.h.i.+ng around smartly is no proof of ac- complis.h.i.+ng much.

All successful individuals have become such by hard work; by improving moments before they pa.s.s into hours, [15]

and hours that other people may occupy in the pursuit of pleasure. They spend no time in sheer idleness, in talking when they have nothing to say, in building air- castles or floating off on the wings of sense: all of which drop human life into the ditch of nonsense, and worse [20]

than waste its years.

"Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait." [25]

Thanksgiving Dinner

It was a beautiful group! needing but canvas and the touch of an artist to render it pathetic, tender, gorgeous.

[Page 231.]

Age, on whose h.o.a.ry head the almond-blossom formed a [1]

crown of glory; middle age, in smiles and the full fruition of happiness; infancy, exuberant with joy,-ranged side by side. The sober-suited grandmother, rich in ex- perience, had seen suns.h.i.+ne and shadow fall upon ninety- [5]

six years. Four generations sat at that dinner-table.

The rich viands made busy many appet.i.tes; but, what of the poor! Willingly-though I take no stock in spirit-rappings-would I have had the table give a spiritual groan for the unfeasted ones. [10]

Under the skilful carving of the generous host, the mammoth turkey grew beautifully less. His was the glory to vie with guests in the dexterous use of knife and fork, until delicious pie, pudding, and fruit caused un- conditional surrender. [15]

And the baby! Why, he made a big hole, with two incisors, in a big pippin, and bit the finger presump- tuously poked into the little mouth to arrest the peel!

Then he was caught walking! one, two, three steps,- and papa knew that he could walk, but grandpa was [20]

taken napping. Now! baby has tumbled, soft as thistle- down, on the floor; and instead of a real set-to at crying, a look of cheer and a toy from mamma bring the soft little palms patting together, and pucker the rosebud mouth into saying, "Oh, pretty!" That was a scientific [25]

baby; and his first sitting-at-table on Thanksgiving Day- yes, and his little rainbowy life-brought suns.h.i.+ne to every heart. How many homes echo such tones of heartfelt joy on Thanksgiving Day! But, alas! for the desolate home; for the tear-filled eyes looking longingly [30]

at the portal through which the loved one comes not, or gazing silently on the vacant seat at fireside and board-

[Page 232.]

G.o.d comfort them all! we inwardly prayed-but the [1]

memory was too much; and, turning from it, in a b.u.mper of pudding-sauce we drank to peace, and plenty, and happy households.

Christian Science

This age is reaching out towards the perfect Principle of things; is pus.h.i.+ng towards perfection in art, inven- tion, and manufacture. Why, then, should religion be stereotyped, and we not obtain a more perfect and prac- tical Christianity? It will never do to be behind the [10]

times in things most essential, which proceed from the standard of right that regulates human destiny. Human skill but foreshadows what is next to appear as its divine origin. Proportionately as we part with material systems and theories, personal doctrines and dogmas, meekly to [15]

ascend the hill of Science, shall we reach the maximum of perfection in all things.

Spirit is omnipotent; hence a more spiritual Chris- tianity will be one having more power, having perfected in Science that most important of all arts,-healing. [20]

Metaphysical healing, or Christian Science, is a de- mand of the times. Every man and every woman would desire and demand it, if he and she knew its infinite value and firm basis. The unerring and fixed Principle of all healing is G.o.d; and this Principle should be [25]

sought from the love of good, from the most spiritual and unselfish motives. Then will it be understood to be of G.o.d, and not of man; and this will prevent mankind from striking out promiscuously, teaching and practising

[Page 233.]

in the _name_ of Science without knowing its fundamental [1]

Principle.

It is important to know that a malpractice of the best system will result in the worst form of medicine. More- over, the feverish, disgusting pride of those who call [5]

themselves metaphysicians or Scientists,-but are such in name only,-fanned by the breath of mental mal- practice, is the death's-head at the feast of Truth; the monkey in harlequin jacket that will r.e.t.a.r.d the onward march of life-giving Science, if not understood and with- [10]

stood, and so strangled in its attempts.

The standard of metaphysical healing is traduced by thinking to put into the old garment of drugging the new cloth of metaphysics; or by trying to twist the fatal magnetic force of mortal mind, termed hypnotism, into [15]

a more fas.h.i.+onable cut and naming that "mind-cure,"

or-which is still worse in the eyes of Truth-terming it metaphysics! Subst.i.tuting good words for a good life, fair-seeming for straightforward character, mental mal- practice for the practice of true medicine, is a poor s.h.i.+ft [20]

for the weak and worldly who think the standard of Christian Science too high for them.

What think you of a scientist in mathematics who finds fault with the exactness of the rule because unwilling to work hard enough to practise it? The perfection of the [25]

rule of Christian Science is what const.i.tutes its utility: having a true standard, if some fall short, others will approach it; and these are they only who adhere to that standard.

Matter must be understood as a false belief or product so [30]

of mortal mind: whence we learn that sensation is not in matter, but in this so-called mind; that we see and

[Page 234.]

feel disease only by reason of our belief in it: then shall [1]

matter remain no longer to blind us to Spirit, and clog the wheels of progress. We spread our wings in vain when we attempt to mount above error by speculative views of Truth. [5]

Love is the Principle of divine Science; and Love is not learned of the material senses, nor gained by a culpa- ble attempt to seem what we have not lifted ourselves to _be_, namely, a Christian. In love for man, we gain a true sense of Love as G.o.d; and in no other way can we [10]

reach this spiritual sense, and rise-and still rise-to things most essential and divine. What hinders man's progress is his vain conceit, the Phariseeism of the times, also his effort to steal from others and avoid hard work; errors which can never find a place in Science. Empiri- [15]

cal knowledge is worse than useless: it never has advanced man a single step in the scale of being.