Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-08-08
is NOT LIKE WITCHCRAFT
Belief OF Christian Science Con-
corning Animal Magnetism is
Different.
BY ALFRED FARLOW

In view of misapprehensions which
recently appeared in the public press
it seems proper that we should devote
some space to the consideratiOnof the
term malicious animal magnetism
as used in Christian Science parlance,
In writing on this subject, we are
we'll aware that we have undertaken
subject with which the general pub
lie is not familiar, although it is not
by any means new.
The lesson on animal magnetism is
an advanced one in the Christian
Science course, and ordinarily we
would leave it for the future SO far as
concerns the public press, but since it
has already been introduced and in
PEELED to discuss it in the interest of
fair representation.
The word magnetism was first APP
piled to a peculiar attraction of iron
ore. 1t was called magnetism because
it was discovered in the city of
Magnesia. Later the term animal
was joined to it and it was thus used
in connection with electrical expert
ments with an animal.
The meaning of the term continued
to broaden until it became compre-
hensiye enough to include the peculiar
influence which one person was able
TO exert over another by physical con-
tact.
In later years the schools of pyscho-
lOgy enlarged the definition still more
and now, through Mrs. Eddy's teach
ing, the term "animal magnetism
has become broad enough to include
any and all action Of the human mind
and is similar, if not identical in
the more modern term'hypnotism.
From this description it may be
noted that from the introduction OF
the term to the present time, the
word has been applied to that parti-
cular power, influence or force, which
is possessed by the creature in con.
tradistinction to the creator.
Christian Science teaches that there
is in reality but one power or force,
that is, God, spirit, mind, truth, love
and that, therefore, the Christian
warfare is the struggle of mankind tC
become subject to 1.-The mind which
was in Christie become submissive
to the devile mind and thus silence
human will which the scriptures de
nominate the "carnal mind.
st. Paul described this warfare il
the following words: For the tiesl
lusteth against the spirit, and the
spirit against the flesh, and these are
contrary the one to the other"
Science always settles the battle OF
the side of spirit, because Esprit i:
the real and eternal, and matter
(hesh) is the unreal and temporal. y
Science and Health.
Since science has introduced The
proposition that God is the only rea
mind, the carnal mind in all its varied
manifestations is naturally in the in
terest of self-preseryation arrayec
against it.
Therefore, every wilful phase O
this human opposition which is created
by the introduction of science is malic
ious. Hence the use of the term
malicious animal magnetism.
1t is called magnetism because il
refers to supposed power indepen
dent Of God; malicious, in keeping
with the scriptural declaration. "be
cause the carnal mind is enmity
against God.
Mrs Eddy refers to it as the human
antipode of divine science. 1t is {
term which is broad enough to includ,
all that is opposed to God. 1t includes
every phase of evil, every phase of tht
human antagonism to truth.