The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-03-09
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
And the New Metaphysical Movement
An Intelligent Discrimination Desira

And the New Metaphysical Movement
An Intelligent Discrimination Desira-
| BILE
| The following has been issued by the
Metaphysical club of Boston:
The question is frequently asled<
What is the real difference between
| Christian science and the broader meta
physical movement sometimes called
mental science, or the higher thought
The few points here suggested in reply
are not prompted by any controversial
spirit, but only in the interest Of correct
definition, and an impartial and intelli-
! gent understanding of the truth. AL
| though popularity used in vague sense,
| the term Christian science can be ap-
piled properly only to the specific de-
nomination which is composed of the
| followers of Mrs. Mary B. G. Eddy.
| Intelligent discrimination, reasonable
accuracy and simple justice to all par
ties make such distinction necessary.
There are many differences not easily
defnable in a brief review, but few
points will suffice to show the wide di-
vergence We may note
tan Scientists find their authority, not
only external to themselves, but CEN
tered in one person. While theoretically
claiming an impersonal, spiritual, and
even divine guidance, practically, 1t is
the strict and literal Interpretation of
one individual. No matter how gifted
and spiritual such a channel may be, it
is radical limitation and obstacle to
progress 1t knows but one dscoverer,
enc leader, one ruler. Everything relat-
ing to the higher truth emanating out
side of that source-no matter how
much it contains that is helpful and
truthful--is characterized as not genu-
inc, and inferentialy harmful. Can
many-sided truth, which Is as broad as
the cosmos, be so compressed as to flow
only through the channel of one mind?
Rather, do not all ideal human relation
and brotherhood include breadth, mag
nanimity and charity
In the broader philosophy, authority is
centered in no person or system, each
seeker for truth being guided by his
own loftiest ideal. Persons, books and
other objective aids may be suggestive
and helpful, but never authoritative.
That must be spiritual, internal the di-
vinity within, which is the subjective
Christ. The ever-present spirit, which
is able to guide Unto all truth" is taken
for teacher and interpreter.
Second-Christian Science proclams
the unreality of matter and of the body.
The rational and broader thought, not
only admits the validity Of the body, as
veritable expression, but claims that it
=, to, MI md ,A1a
as is the soul or spirit. While suscepti-
BILE to mental molding, it is neither an
error nor an illusion, Moreover, it Is
friendly to it's welfare to affirm both its
validity and goodness 1t is to be ruled
beautified and utilized in its own order,
and not denied an existence. Even adj
hitting that the whole cosmos Is, in the
last analysis, but one universal mind
and it's manifesto ton: even admitting
that all matter is but a lower vibration
of spirit, and that the human body is
essentially mental rather than a phys
ical organism; STILL matter has its own
relative reality and validity and is not
to be ignored as illusion.
Third-The spirit of Christian Science
is autocratic rather than democratic.
It's polity and ritual, in every detail, are
shaped and directed arbitrarily by q
single WILL There is no room for inves-
tigation, liberty of thought, progress or
further revelation. There is no recogni- |
ton of related physical science or evo- |
lutionary progress.
The broader mental philosophy well |
comes truth from whatever quarter, sees |
good in everything, and utilizes a prac- |
tical ideaiSm. 1t is entirely optimistic
and teaches no fear, whether of mali |
cious animal magnetism, or any other |
possible force. While understanding, |
both from experience and observation, |
that systematic employment of mental |
potency in rational. scientific and |
idealistic manner has wonderful and |
unappreciated healing energy, it's expo
nents do not think it necessary to form
a new and exclusive religious sect.