Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896 Part 57

The above prophecy, written years ago, has already [1]

been fulfilled. It is seen in Christian Science that the gospel of marriage is not without the law, and the solemn vow of fidelity, "until death do us part;" this verity in human economy can neither be obscured nor throttled. [5]

Until time matures human growth, marriage and progeny will continue unprohibited in Christian Science. We look to future generations for ability to comply with absolute Science, when marriage shall be found to be man's one- ness with G.o.d,-the unity of eternal Love. At present, [10]

more spiritual conception and education of children will serve to ill.u.s.trate the superiority of spiritual power over sensuous, and usher in the dawn of G.o.d's creation, wherein they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels. To abolish marriage at this period, [15]

and maintain morality and generation, would put inge- nuity to ludicrous s.h.i.+fts; yet this is possible in _Science_, although it is to-day problematic.

The time cometh, and now is, for spiritual and eternal existence to be recognized and understood in Science. [20]

All is Mind. Human procreation, birth, life, and death are subjective states of the human erring mind; they are the phenomena of mortality, nothingness, that illus- trate mortal mind and body as _one_, and neither real nor eternal. [25]

It should be understood that Spirit, G.o.d, is the only creator: we should recognize this verity of being, and shut out all sense of other claims. Until this absolute Science of being is seen, understood, and demonstrated in the offspring of divine Mind, and man is perfect even [30]

as the Father is perfect, human speculation will go on, and stop at length at the spiritual ultimate: creation

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understood as the most exalted divine conception. The [1]

offspring of an improved generation, however, will go out before the forever fact that man is eternal and has no human origin. Hence the Scripture: "It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves;" and the Master's de- [5]

mand, "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."

To an ill-attuned ear, discord is harmony; so personal sense, discerning not the legitimate affection of Soul, may place love on a false basis and thereby lose it. Science [10]

corrects this error with the truth of Love, and restores lost Eden. Soul is the infinite source of bliss: only high and holy joy can satisfy immortal cravings. The good in human affections should preponderate over the evil, and the spiritual over the animal,-until progress lifts [15]

mortals to discern the Science of mental formation and find the highway of holiness.

In the order of wisdom, the higher nature of man governs the lower. This lays the foundations of human affection in line with progress, giving them strength and [20]

permanence.

When asked by a wife or a husband important ques- tions concerning their happiness, the substance of my reply is: G.o.d will guide you. Be faithful over home rela- tions; they lead to higher joys: obey the Golden Rule [25]

for human life, and it will spare you much bitterness.

It is pleasanter to do right than wrong; it makes one ruler over one's self and hallows home,-which is woman's world. Please your husband, and he will be apt to please you; preserve affection on both sides. [30]

Great mischief comes from attempts to steady other people's altars, venturing on valor without discretion,

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which is virtually meddlesomeness. Even your sincere [1]

and courageous convictions regarding what is best for others may be mistaken; you must be demonstratively right yourself, and work out the greatest good to the greatest number, before you are sure of being a fit coun- [5]

sellor. Positive and imperative thoughts should be dropped into the balances of G.o.d and weighed by spiritual Love, and not be found wanting, before being put into action.

A rash conclusion that regards only one side of a ques- tion, is weak and wicked; this error works out the results [10]

of error. If the premise of mortal existence is wrong, any conclusion drawn therefrom is not absolutely right.

Wisdom in human action begins with what is nearest right under the circ.u.mstances, and thence achieves the absolute. [15]

Is marriage nearer right than celibacy?

Human knowledge inculcates that it is, while Science indicates that it _is not_. But to force the consciousness of scientific being before it is understood is impossible, and believing otherwise would prevent scientific demon- [20]

stration. To reckon the universal cost and gain, as well as thine own, is right in every state and stage of being.

The selfish _role_ of a martyr is the s.h.i.+ft of a dishonest mind, nothing short of self-seeking; and real suffering would stop the farce. [25]

The cause of temperance receives a strong impulse from the cause of Christian Science: temperance and truth are allies, and their cause prospers in proportion to the spirit of Love that nerves the struggle. People will differ in their opinions as to means to promote the [30]

ends of temperance; that is, abstinence from intoxicat- ing beverages. Whatever intoxicates a man, stultifies,

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and causes him to degenerate physically and morally. [1]

Strong drink is unquestionably an evil, and evil cannot be used temperately: its slightest use is abuse; hence the only temperance is total abstinence. Drunkenness is sensuality let loose, in whatever form it is made [5]

manifest.

What is evil? It is suppositional absence of good.

From a human standpoint of good, mortals must first choose between evils, and of two evils choose the less; and at present the application of scientific rules to hu- [10]

man life seems to rest on this basis.

All partners.h.i.+ps are formed on agreements to certain compacts: each party voluntarily surrenders independ- ent action to act as a whole and per agreement. This fact should be duly considered when by the marriage [15]

contract two are made one, and, according to the divine precept, "they twain shall be one flesh." Oneness in spirit is Science, compatible with home and heaven.

Neither divine justice nor human equity has _divorced_ two minds in one. [20]

Rights that are bargained away must not be retaken by the contractors, except by mutual consent. Human nature has bestowed on a wife the right to become a mother; but if the wife esteems not this privilege, by mutual consent, exalted and increased affections, she [25]

may win a higher. Science touches the conjugal ques- tion on the basis of a bill of rights. Can the bill of con- jugal rights be fairly stated by a magistrate, or by a minister? Mutual interests and affections are the spirit of these rights, and they should be consulted, augmented, [30]

and allowed to rise to the spiritual alt.i.tude whence they can choose only good.

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A third person is not a party to the compact of two [1]

hearts. Let other people's marriage relations _alone_: two persons only, should be found within their precincts.

The nuptial vow is never annulled so long as the animus of the contract is preserved intact. Science lifts humanity [5]

higher in the scale of harmony, and must ultimately break all bonds that hinder progress.

Judge Not

Mistaken views ought to be dissolving views, since whatever is false should disappear. To suppose that hu- [10]

man love, guided by the divine Principle, which is Love, is partial, unmerciful, or unjust, indicates misapprehen- sion of the divine Principle and its workings in the human heart.

A person wrote to me, naming the time of the occur- [15]

rence, "I felt the influence of your thought on my mind, and it produced a wonderful illumination, peace, and understanding;" but, I had not thought of the writer at that time. I knew that this person was doing well, and my affections involuntarily flow out towards all. [20]

When will the world cease to judge of causes from a personal sense of things, conjectural and misapprehen- sive! When thought dwells in G.o.d,-and it should not, to our consciousness, dwell elsewhere,-one must bene- fit those who hold a place in one's memory, whether it [25]

be friend or foe, and each share the benefit of that radia- tion. This individual blessedness and blessing comes not so much from individual as from universal love: it emits light because it reflects; and all who are receptive share this equally. [30]

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Mistaken or transient views are human: they are not [1]

governed by the Principle of divine Science: but the notion that a mind governed by Principle can be forced into personal channels, affinities, self-interests, or obliga- tions, is a grave mistake; it dims the true sense of G.o.d's [5]

reflection, and darkens the understanding that demon- strates above personal motives, unworthy aims and ambitions.

Too much and too little is attached to me as authority for other people's thoughts and actions. A tacit acqui- [10]

escence with others' views is often construed as direct orders,-or at least it so appears in results. I desire the equal growth and prosperity of all Christian Scien- tists, and the world in general; each and every one has equal opportunity to be benefited by my thoughts and [15]

writings. If any are not partakers thereof, this is not my fault, and is far from my desire; the possible per- version of Christian Science is the irony of fate, if the spirit thereof be lacking. I would part with a blessing myself to bestow it upon others, but could not deprive [20]

them of it. False views, however engendered, relative to the true and unswerving course of a Christian Scientist, will at length dissolve into thin air. The dew of heaven will fall gently on the hearts and lives of all who are found worthy to suffer for righteousness,-and have taught [25]

the truth which is energizing, refres.h.i.+ng, and consecrat- ing mankind.